World War I

Central Powers

Alliance in WW1 including Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Entente Powers (Allies)

Opposing alliance in WW1, including France, Britain, Russia, and later the USA.

Trench Warfare

Fighting style involving deep trenches leading to deadly stalemates.

No Man’s Land

Dangerous area between opposing trenches in trench warfare.

Machine Gun

A rapid-fire weapon that made WW1 battles deadly, contributing to stalemates.

Poison Gas

Chemical weapon introduced in WW1, causing severe injuries and deaths.

Tank

Armored vehicle first used in WW1 to cross trenches and break enemy lines.

Submarine (U-Boat)

German underwater vessels that attacked Allied ships during WW1.

Battle of Ypres

A 1915 battle where gas warfare was first used and Canadian troops fought bravely.

Battle of the Somme

A 1916 battle known for massive casualties and the introduction of tanks.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

A 1917 Canadian victory, marking a key moment in national pride.

Battle of Passchendaele

A brutal 1917 battle known for horrific conditions and heavy losses.

Armistice

The ceasefire signed on November 11, 1918, ending fighting in WW1.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 peace treaty that officially ended WW1 and imposed harsh terms on Germany.

Reparations

Payments Germany was forced to make to the Allies after WW1.

Militarism

Belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Nationalism

Pride in one’s country, which contributed to tensions before WW1.

Imperialism

Competition between countries to control territories and colonies globally.