CHC2DB WW1

What were the four MAIN underlying causes of WWI?

Militarism (building up armies), Alliances (agreements between countries), Imperialism (competing for colonies) and Nationalism (strong pride and loyalty to one's nation).

What was the immediate cause of WWI?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, which triggered a chain of declarations of war.

Who was Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination triggered the July Crisis.

Who was Gavrilo Princip?

A Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What was the Black Hand?

A Serbian nationalist secret society connected to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What was the Triple Alliance?

Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy before WWI. Italy remained neutral in 1914 and later joined the Allies.

What was the Triple Entente?

The alliance between Britain, France and Russia.

Who were the Central Powers?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany's strategy to defeat France quickly by invading through Belgium, then turn east to fight Russia.

What was the balance of power?

A situation where countries have relatively equal power so that no single country can dominate Europe.

Why did Canada enter WWI on August 4, 1914?

Britain declared war on Germany after Germany invaded Belgium. Canada was part of the British Empire, so it automatically entered the war.

What was propaganda?

Information designed to influence people's opinions, emotions or actions, often used to encourage support for the war.

What was trench warfare?

A style of fighting where opposing armies fought from long defensive trenches.

What was a stalemate?

A situation where neither side could make significant progress or defeat the other.

What was No Man's Land?

The dangerous open area between opposing trenches.

What was a creeping barrage?

An artillery attack that moved forward gradually ahead of advancing soldiers to provide protection.

What was chemical warfare?

The use of poisonous gases, such as chlorine and mustard gas, to injure or kill enemy soldiers.

What were U-boats?

German submarines used to attack Allied and merchant ships.

How were tanks, airplanes and artillery used in WWI?

Tanks crossed difficult terrain and trenches, airplanes were used for reconnaissance and combat, and artillery fired explosive shells at enemy positions.

What was the combustion engine?

An engine that burns fuel internally to produce power; it helped develop military vehicles and aircraft.

What were the Western and Eastern Fronts?

The Western Front was mainly in France and Belgium; the Eastern Front was mainly between Germany and Austria-Hungary and Russia.

What did CEF and BEF stand for?

Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian troops overseas) and British Expeditionary Force (British troops serving overseas).

What was trench foot?

A painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet and unsanitary conditions in trenches.

What was PTSD called during WWI?

Shell shock. It referred to the psychological trauma soldiers experienced because of the war.

What was conscription?

Compulsory military service requiring eligible men to join the armed forces.

What was the Military Service Act of 1917?

The Canadian law that introduced conscription, requiring eligible men to serve in the military.

Why was conscription controversial in Canada?

Many French Canadians and other Canadians opposed being forced to fight overseas, creating divisions within the country.

What was the War Measures Act?

A law giving the federal government emergency powers during wartime, including restricting civil liberties and detaining people.

Who were enemy aliens?

People living in Canada who came from countries at war with Canada. Many faced restrictions, surveillance and internment.

What were Victory Bonds?

Government bonds purchased by Canadians to lend money to the government to help pay for the war.

What was profiteering?

Making excessive or unfair profits from wartime conditions, shortages or increased demand.

What was a pacifist?

A person who opposes war and believes conflicts should be resolved peacefully.

What roles did women take on during WWI?

Women worked as nurses, ambulance drivers, factory workers and volunteers, including with the Red Cross.

What was the Red Cross?

An organization that provided medical assistance, supplies and humanitarian support to soldiers and civilians.

Who were the Blue Birds?

Canadian nursing sisters known for their distinctive blue uniforms and veils who served overseas during WWI.

What is feminism?

The belief in equality between women and men, including equal rights and opportunities.

What was women's suffrage?

The movement to gain women the legal right to vote.

What was a suffragist?

A person who campaigned for women's right to vote.

What was an anti-suffragist?

A person who opposed giving women the right to vote.

When did Canadian women gain the right to vote?

Manitoba became the first province to grant women the provincial vote in 1916. Other provinces followed, and most women gained the federal vote in 1918, although exclusions remained.

What was the Wartime Elections Act of 1917?

It gave federal voting rights to certain women related to servicemen, while taking voting rights away from some naturalized citizens from enemy countries.

What was the Military Voters Act of 1917?

It allowed Canadian soldiers serving overseas to vote in federal elections.

How were Black Canadians discriminated against during WWI?

They faced racism and barriers to enlistment. Many were denied opportunities to serve in regular combat units.

What was Construction Battalion No. 2?

Canada's only predominantly Black battalion during WWI. Its members were assigned mainly construction and labour duties rather than combat.

How were Indigenous Canadians discriminated against during WWI?

They faced racism and unequal treatment, including discrimination in military service and broader Canadian society.

What happened during the First Battle of Ypres in 1914?

British and French forces fought German forces in Belgium. The battle helped prevent Germany from advancing toward the English Channel.

What happened during the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915?

German forces used poison gas on a large scale. Canadian troops helped defend the Allied line despite suffering heavy casualties.

What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916?

A major Allied offensive that resulted in enormous casualties and little territorial gain. The Newfoundland Regiment suffered devastating losses at Beaumont-Hamel.

What happened at Vimy Ridge in April 1917?

All four Canadian divisions fought together to capture the ridge from German forces. It became an important symbol of Canadian achievement.

What happened at Hill 70 in August 1917?

Canadian troops under Arthur Currie captured Hill 70 and successfully defended it against repeated German counterattacks.

What happened at Passchendaele in 1917?

Canadian troops captured the ruined village despite extremely muddy conditions and heavy casualties.

What happened at Cambrai in 1917?

A British offensive known for the large-scale use of tanks in an attempt to break through German lines.

What happened at Amiens in August 1918?

Canadian and Australian troops helped lead a successful Allied attack that began the final major offensive period of the war.

What happened at the Canal du Nord in September 1918?

Canadian troops broke through a heavily defended German position, helping the Allies continue their advance.

What happened at Mons in November 1918?

Canadian troops liberated the Belgian city of Mons on November 11, 1918, the same day the Armistice took effect.

Which WWI battles caused especially high Canadian or Newfoundland casualties?

The Somme, especially Beaumont-Hamel for Newfoundland; Passchendaele; and several major Canadian offensives. Vimy and Hill 70 also involved significant casualties.

What was Canada's Hundred Days?

The final series of Allied offensives from August to November 1918, during which Canadian troops played a major role in pushing German forces back.

Who was Arthur Currie?

A Canadian general who commanded the Canadian Corps and emphasized careful planning and preparation.

Who was Robert Borden?

Canada's Prime Minister during WWI who supported conscription.

Who was Wilfrid Laurier?

Leader of the Liberal Party who opposed conscription because he believed it would divide Canada.

Who was Sam Hughes?

Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence at the beginning of WWI, responsible for organizing and equipping Canadian troops.

Who was Billy Bishop?

A Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace who became famous for his achievements in aerial combat.

Who was John McCrae?

A Canadian doctor and soldier who wrote the famous WWI poem In Flanders Fields.

Who was Nellie McClung?

A Canadian women's rights activist who campaigned for women's suffrage.

Who was General Douglas Haig?

A British general who commanded the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front.

Who was John Babcock?

The last surviving Canadian veteran of WWI. He enlisted but did not see combat.

What was the Newfoundland Regiment?

A regiment from Newfoundland, which was a separate dominion at the time. It suffered devastating losses at Beaumont-Hamel during the Battle of the Somme.

Who was the Czar during the Russian Revolution?

Czar Nicholas II, the ruler of Russia who abdicated in 1917.

What was the Russian Communist Revolution?

The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution that brought the communists to power. Russia later withdrew from WWI through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918.

What was the Halifax Explosion?

A massive explosion on December 6, 1917, when a French ship carrying explosives collided with another ship in Halifax Harbour, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

What was the Armistice of November 11, 1918?

The agreement that ended fighting on the Western Front at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

What was the Paris Peace Conference?

A 1919 meeting where Allied leaders negotiated the terms of peace after WWI.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

The 1919 peace treaty that officially ended the war between Germany and the Allies. It placed responsibility for the war on Germany and imposed military and financial penalties.

What was Remembrance Day?

November 11, a day when Canadians honour and remember those who served and died in wars.

What is the Vimy Memorial?

A Canadian memorial in France commemorating Canadians who served and died during WWI, especially those with no known graves.