World War 1

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

This was the spark that started World War I. The Austrian crown prince, was murdered on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist while visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. Germany urged Austria-Hungary to fight and they went to war against Serbia

Woodrow Wilson

This was the president who was elected in 1912, and led the US into WWI. Later wrote a plan for post-WWI peace known as the Fourteen Points.

Austria-Hungary

This Central Power empire during WWI, started the war with their invasion of Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 . It was made up of Austria, Hungary and several other nations and territories. After World War I it split up into several nations.

U-boats

This new machinery used by the Germans in sea warfare, to attack British and American supply ships in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Nationalism

This cause of World War I was based on an intense pride in one's nation.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

This is the plan for post-World War I outlined by President Wilson in 1918. This plan called for self-determination (countries in Africa and Asia govern themselves), freedom of the seas, free trade, end to secret agreements, reduction of arms and a league of nations.

Zimmerman Telegram

This intercepted note from the German foreign minister to the Mexican government offered, territories in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico for Mexico. The note also confirmed the new policy of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany against the Allied Powers. This helped turn Americans against Germany in WWI.

Lusitania

This British passenger ship was sunk by German U-boats in 1915, carrying civilians and ammunition to Britain from the U.S. The event turned American opinion against Germany.

Trench Warfare

This style of warfare was common in WWI, due to the invention of the machine gun and heavy artillery. It included digging long trenches, separated by barbed wire and a no mans land.

Armistice

This was the agreement between the Allies and Central Powers that ended the fighting after WWI. It began at 11/11/1918 at 11:11 am. This marked a victory for the Allies and stated that the Central Powers lost. Germans would later look at this as "the stab in the back."

Reparations

This term refers to the payments and transfers of property that Germany was required to make under the treaty of Versailles.

League of Nations

This intergovernmental organization lasted from 1919-1946, was founded after the Paris Peace Conference. It did not work effectively to prevent WWII.

Imperialism

This cause of World War II resulted from the competition among European nations for colonies in Africa and Asia from 1880-1914. This created tension, especially between Germany and Great Britain.

Alliances

Countries promising to come to each others aid if attacked

Triple Alliance

This alliance was made Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in the years before WWI.

Triple Entente

This alliance between Great Britain, France and Russia in the years before WWI.

Central Powers

This was a major alliance at the 'center' of Europe during World War I, made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Ottoman Empire. It was formerly known as the Triple Alliance before the war.

Allied Powers

This was a major alliance during World War I made up of Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. It was know n as the Triple Entente(a French word) before the war.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

A policy that the Germans announced on January 1917 which stated that their submarines would sink any ship in the British waters. Resulted in entry of the US into World War I.

Militarism

This cause of World War I was a policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty which ended World War I that included large reparations from Germany, the formation of the League of Nations, and the mandate system.

Mustard Gas

a new invention in WWI - a yellow colored gas that was fired at the enemy - it caused blindness, damage to the lungs and death

tank

An enclosed armored military vehicle used by British in WWI. Helped end the war.

Gallipoli Campaign

This was a British military attack in 1915 during World War I against the Ottoman Empire at Dardanelles', to bring supplies to Russia. The mission failed with high casualties by the British

Lenin

Founded the Communist Party in Russia and set up the world's first Communist Party dictatorship. He led the October Revolution of 1917, in which the Communists seized power in Russia. He then ruled the country until his death in 1924.

Russian Revolution

The revolution against the Tsarist government which led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the creation of a provisional government in March 1917.

Marxism

Emerged as the most famous socialist belief system during the 19th century. Saw all of history as the story of class struggle.

Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Powder Keg of Europe

The Balkans; they had a long history of nationalist uprisings and ethnic clashes.

War of Attrition

A war where one side does not have to defeat the enemy, they just have to outlast them.

Weimar Republic

German republic founded after the WWI and the downfall of the German Empire's monarchy.

Bolsheviks

A group of revolutionary Russian Marxists who took control of Russia's government in November 1917

"Peace, Land, and Bread"

The slogan used by Lenin to win the support of the people;

Soviet Union

A Communist nation, consisting of Russia and 14 other states,that began after the Russian Revolution

No Man's Land

Territory between rival Trenches, very dangerous

Trench Foot

This was an infection of the feet caused by cold, wet and insanitary conditions. In the trenches men stood for hours on end in waterlogged trenches without being able to remove wet socks or boots. The feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue.