World War I Military Strategies, Battles, and Key Figures GR1

Interior/exterior lines

Military strategies where interior lines allow for quicker troop movement and reinforcement compared to exterior lines, which can be more vulnerable to encirclement.

Battle of Verdun

A major battle during World War I fought between French and German armies from February to December 1916, known for its high casualties and symbolizing French determination.

Battle of the Somme

A significant battle of World War I that took place from July to November 1916, marked by one of the bloodiest days in British military history and aimed to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun.

Battle of Jutland

The largest naval battle of World War I, fought between the British Royal Navy and the Imperial German Navy in May-June 1916, resulting in heavy losses for both sides but maintaining British naval dominance.

Brusilov Offensive

A successful Russian campaign against the Austro-Hungarian forces in 1916, notable for its innovative tactics and significant territorial gains.

Dicta Boelcke

A set of principles for aerial combat developed by German fighter pilot Oswald Boelcke, which influenced dogfighting tactics in World War I.

Billy Mitchell

An American general and aviation pioneer who advocated for the use of air power in military strategy during and after World War I.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

A naval warfare strategy where submarines attack merchant ships without warning, significantly employed by Germany during World War I.

Zimmerman Telegram

A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico in January 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States, which contributed to U.S. entry into World War I.

"Elastic defense"/defense in depth

A military strategy that emphasizes flexibility and the use of multiple defensive layers to absorb and counter enemy attacks.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Triple Alliance/Central Powers

The military alliance during World War I that included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, later known as the Central Powers.

Frans Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria whose assassination in June 1914 triggered the outbreak of World War I.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy at the outset of World War I, aimed at quickly defeating France before turning to fight Russia.

Battles of Ypres and Loos

Significant battles on the Western Front during World War I, with Ypres known for its use of poison gas and Loos for the British offensive in 1915.

Triple Entente

The alliance between France, Russia, and Great Britain before and during World War I.

"Race to the Sea"

A series of battles in late 1914 where both sides attempted to outflank each other, leading to trench warfare along the Western Front.

Battle of Tannenberg

A decisive battle in 1914 where German forces encircled and defeated the Russian Second Army, marking a significant victory for Germany on the Eastern Front.

Wright Brothers

Orville and Wilbur Wright, aviation pioneers credited with inventing and building the first successful airplane.

Wright Flyer

The first successful powered aircraft, built by the Wright Brothers, which made its first flight in December 1903.

Benjamin Foulois

An early American military aviator who played a significant role in the development of military aviation in the United States.

Punitive Expedition

A military operation led by the United States in 1916 against Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa following his attack on Columbus, New Mexico.

Rough Riders and the Battle of San Juan Hill

The 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt, known for their charge during the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A U.S. naval officer and historian whose writings on naval strategy emphasized the importance of sea power in global politics.

Philippine-American War

A conflict between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries from 1899 to 1902, following the U.S. acquisition of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War.

Asymmetric/guerrilla warfare

A form of warfare where smaller, less-equipped forces use unconventional tactics to combat larger, traditional military forces.

Army Reorganization Act of 1901

Legislation that reorganized the United States Army, establishing a more modern structure and increasing its efficiency.

General Staff Act of 1903

An act that established a general staff for the U.S. Army, aimed at improving military planning and organization.

Siege of Mukden

A major battle during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, where Japanese forces besieged and defeated the Russian army.

Battle of Tsushima

A decisive naval battle in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War, where the Japanese fleet defeated the Russian Baltic Fleet.

U.S.S. Maine

An American naval ship whose sinking in Havana Harbor in 1898 contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Elihu Root

An American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of War and was instrumental in military reforms in the early 20th century.

Militia Act of 1903

Legislation that established the framework for the National Guard and defined the roles of state militias in the United States.

Adm. Togo Heihachiro

A Japanese admiral known for his decisive victory at the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War.

Grand or Coalition Strategy

A coalition's long-range plans and policies for using military and other resources to achieve objectives.

National Strategy

Similar to Grand Strategy except the concerns of a single nation are paramount. Determines objectives for war, why, and often when and where, we fight.

Coalition and National Strategy

Sometimes referred to as grand strategy, policy, or the 'political level of war,' because they are conducted by political authorities with political rather than strictly military goals in mind.

Military Strategy

The art and science of employing the armed forces of a nation or alliance to secure policy objectives by the application or threat of force.

Campaign Strategy

A military commander's long-range plans for using the resources made available to him to achieve specific objectives assigned to him in a given space and time.

Operational Level of War

The process of carrying on combat, including movement, supply, attack, defense, and maneuvers needed to gain the objectives of any campaign.

Tactics

The employment of units in combat or the ordered arrangement and maneuver of units in relation to each other and/or to the enemy in order to utilize their full potential.

Military Strategy Forms

Includes attrition, annihilation, and exhaustion.

Theater of Operations

A specific area where military operations are conducted, which may be part of a campaign.

Operations

Not just logistics, and not individual battles, but a sequence of battles.

Engagements

Battles, which are themselves made up of engagements.

Objectives of Campaign

Goals that a military campaign aims to achieve through operations.

Higher Authorities

The command structure that assigns objectives and resources to military commanders.

Political Level of War

The level of war that is conducted by political authorities with political goals.

Art and Science of Military Strategy

Involves the strategic planning and execution of military operations to achieve national or grand strategy objectives.

Stage Between Strategies

Campaign strategy is recognized as a stage between national/coalition military strategy and operations.

Maneuvers in Combat

Actions taken by military units to gain a tactical advantage over the enemy.

Supply in Operations

The logistics and resources necessary to support military operations.

Movement in Combat

The strategic positioning of military units during operations.

Defense in Combat

The actions taken to protect forces from enemy attacks.

Attack in Combat

The offensive actions taken against enemy forces.

Helmuth von Moltke (The Elder)

A Prussian general and military strategist known for his role in the unification of Germany and the development of modern military tactics.

Needlegun

A type of rifle used in the 19th century, notable for its accuracy and range.

Chassepot

A French breech-loading rifle used during the Franco-Prussian War, known for its rapid rate of fire.

Otto Von Bismarck

The first Chancellor of Germany, known for his role in unifying Germany and his diplomatic strategies.

Austro-Prussian War (Seven Weeks War)

A conflict in 1866 between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia that resulted in Prussian dominance in Germany.

Franco-Prussian War

A conflict from 1870 to 1871 between France and Prussia that led to the unification of Germany.

Battle of Sedan

A decisive battle in the Franco-Prussian War where the French army was defeated, leading to the fall of the French Empire.

Battle of Königgrätz

A significant battle in the Austro-Prussian War, resulting in a decisive Prussian victory.

Bewegungskriegs

A German term for operational maneuver or 'war of movement' emphasizing mobility and flexibility in military operations.

Kesselschlacht

A German term for encirclement battle, where forces are surrounded and cut off from retreat.

auftragstaktik

A military strategy emphasizing decentralized command and mission-type tactics.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A naval officer and historian whose theories on sea power influenced naval strategies worldwide.

U.S.S. Maine

An American battleship whose sinking in Havana Harbor in 1898 contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Admiral George Dewey

A U.S. naval officer known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

Battle of San Juan Hill

A significant battle in the Spanish-American War where Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders gained fame.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, known for his leadership during the Spanish-American War and progressive reforms.

Philippine-American War

A conflict from 1899 to 1902 between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries following the Spanish-American War.

General Wesley Merritt

A U.S. Army officer who played a key role in the Philippine-American War.

Emilio Aguinaldo

A Filipino revolutionary leader who played a significant role in the Philippine struggle for independence.

asymmetric/guerilla warfare

A form of conflict where smaller, less-equipped forces use unconventional tactics against larger traditional military forces.

Army Reorganization Act of 1901

Legislation that reorganized the U.S. Army and established a more efficient command structure.

Battle of Port Arthur

A major battle in the Russo-Japanese War, marked by a prolonged siege and significant naval engagements.

Siege of Mukden

A significant battle in the Russo-Japanese War that resulted in a decisive Japanese victory.

Togo Heihachiro

A Japanese admiral known for his victories in the Russo-Japanese War, particularly at the Battle of Tsushima.

Battle of Tsushima

A decisive naval battle in the Russo-Japanese War where the Japanese fleet defeated the Russian fleet.

Treaty of Portsmouth

The treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War, mediated by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

Wright Brothers

Pioneers of aviation who made the first powered flight in 1903.

Wright Flyer

The first successful powered aircraft built by the Wright brothers.

Benjamin Foulois

An early aviation pioneer and military aviator who played a significant role in developing U.S. military aviation.

command of the air

The concept that control of the air is essential for success in military operations.

intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

Military operations that involve gathering information about enemy forces and activities.

attack

A military operation aimed at defeating or neutralizing an enemy force.

mobility

The ability of military forces to move quickly and effectively in response to changing conditions.

1st Aero Squadron

The first organized military aviation unit in the United States Army.

Punitive Expedition

A military operation conducted by the U.S. in 1916 against Mexican revolutionary Francisco Villa.

Triple Alliance/Central Powers

A military alliance during World War I consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

An alliance during World War I between France, Russia, and Great Britain.

Franz Ferdinand

The Archduke of Austria whose assassination in 1914 sparked the outbreak of World War I.

Gavrilo Princip

The assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a member of the nationalist group Black Hand.

The Crisis of July 1914

A series of diplomatic and military escalations that led to the outbreak of World War I.

Weltpolitik

The German foreign policy aimed at establishing Germany as a global power in the early 20th century.

The Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy for a two-front war against France and Russia during World War I.

Plan XVII

The French military plan for mobilization and attack against Germany in World War I.

The First Battle of the Marne

A major battle in World War I that halted the German advance into France.

The Race to the Sea

A series of battles in 1914 where both sides attempted to outflank each other along the Western Front.