World War 1 Definitions - WS

Imperialism

A nation's attempt to dominate other countries politically and economically through colonization.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Machine Guns

Fired 400–600 rounds per minute; made frontal assaults nearly suicidal, leading to massive casualties in trench warfare.

Poison Gas

Chemical weapon used to disable or kill enemy soldiers, introduced psychological warfare during WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty ending WWI in 1919, primarily blaming Germany for the conflict.

War Guilt Clause (Article 231)

Legal basis for reparations; blamed Germany for the entire war, leading to humiliation.

Reparations

Heavy payments that Germany was forced to make under the Treaty of Versailles, crippling its economy.

Self-Determination (Point 10)

The principle that new countries were created but not fully applied, as ethnic Germans were placed in new territories.

Reduction of Armaments (Point 4)

Treaty enforced disarmament only on Germany, while other countries maintained large armies.

Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, assassinated in 1914, whose death sparked tensions leading to WWI.

The 'Black Hand'

A Serbian nationalist terrorist group responsible for the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand.

Kaiser William II

German emperor who provided Austria a 'blank check' of support, escalating the conflict.

Battle of Verdun

One of the deadliest battles of WWI, fought between Germany and France.

Battle of the Somme

A significant battle of WWI involving Germany against France and the UK, noted for its high casualty rate.

Woodrow Wilson

US president who proposed the 14 Points, influencing the Treaty of Versailles.

Georges Clemenceau

French Prime Minister who demanded that the Treaty of Versailles hold Germany accountable.