World War I: Key Geography, Events, and Concepts for Students

Allies

The group of nations opposing the Central Powers; originally Great Britain, France, and Russia, later joined by others including the U.S.

Atlantic Ocean

Major ocean used for transporting troops, supplies, and trade; site of German submarine (U-boat) warfare.

Austria-Hungary / Austro-Hungarian Empire

Multi-ethnic empire in Central/Eastern Europe; declared war on Serbia after Archduke Ferdinand's assassination.

Baltic Sea

Northern European sea; important for German and Russian naval access.

Belgium

Neutral country invaded by Germany to execute the Schlieffen Plan; invasion triggered Britain's entry into WWI.

Berlin

Capital of Germany; center of military planning and government.

Black Sea

Strategic sea bordering the Ottoman Empire and Russia; key trade and naval route.

Bulgaria

Joined the Central Powers later in the war to gain territory in the Balkans.

Central Powers

Alliance including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Istanbul (Constantinople)

Capital of the Ottoman Empire; strategic location controlling access between Europe and Asia.

Eastern Front

Front where Russia fought Germany and Austria-Hungary; more movement than the Western Front.

England / Great Britain

Major Allied power; entered war after Germany invaded Belgium.

France

Allied power; fought mainly on the Western Front and suffered massive casualties.

Gallipoli

Site of failed Allied invasion of the Ottoman Empire; heavy losses for British, Australian, and New Zealand forces.

Italy

Initially neutral; later joined the Allies to gain territory.

Japan

Allied power; seized German territories in the Pacific.

London

Capital of Great Britain; political and military leadership center.

Mediterranean Sea

Important naval and supply route; site of fighting involving the Ottoman Empire.

North Sea

Major naval battleground between Britain and Germany.

Ottoman Empire

Central Power controlling much of the Middle East; collapsed after the war.

Paris

Capital of France; near front lines early in war and site of Paris Peace Conference.

Rome

Capital of Italy.

Russia

Allied power until 1917; exited war after the Russian Revolution.

Sarajevo

City where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, triggering WWI.

Serbia

Balkan nation supported by Russia; target of Austria-Hungary's declaration of war.

St. Petersburg / Petrograd

Russian capital during WWI; renamed to sound less German.

Versailles

Location where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.

Western Front

Front where Germany fought France, Britain, and later the U.S.; defined by trench warfare.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

June 28, 1914; killed in Sarajevo, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

Influenza Pandemic of 1918

Global flu outbreak that killed over 21 million people worldwide.

Russian Revolution

1917 overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II; Bolsheviks took power and exited WWI.

Paris Peace Conference

1919 meeting where Allied leaders negotiated peace terms, including the Treaty of Versailles.

Alliance System

Network of treaties that caused the war to spread rapidly across Europe.

Mobilization

Process of preparing a nation's military and economy for war.

Nationalism

Strong pride and loyalty to one's nation; increased tensions and competition.

New Technologies

Tanks, airplanes, submarines, and poison gas introduced during WWI.

Reparations

Payments Germany was forced to make to Allied nations after the war.

Schlieffen Plan

German plan to defeat France quickly before Russia could mobilize.

Total War

War involving entire society, including civilians, industry, and economy.

Trench Warfare

Fighting from deep trenches along the Western Front; led to stalemates and massive casualties.

Versailles Treaty

1919 peace treaty ending WWI; punished Germany heavily.

War Guilt Clause

Clause forcing Germany to accept full blame for WWI.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne; his assassination sparked WWI.

Allied Powers (Entente)

England, France, Russia, later joined by others including the U.S.

Bolsheviks

Communist group led by Lenin that took control of Russia in 1917.

Civilians

Non-military people; heavily impacted due to total war.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks; helped establish the Soviet Union.