WW1 and Russian Revolution

Long Term Causes

Countries competing with armies (militarism), for colonies (imperialism), and showing pride in their nation (nationalism).

Short Term Causes

The immediate cause was the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.

Central Powers

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

Triple Entente - Allies

United Kingdom, France, and Russia.

Franz Ferdinand

Heir to Austria-Hungary’s throne. His murder started WWI.

Gavrilo Princip

A Serbian man who killed Franz Ferdinand.

Black Hand

Secret group that planned Franz Ferdinand’s assassination.

Assassination Timeline

Events in summer 1914 that led to WWI after Franz Ferdinand was killed.

Ultimatum

Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia stop anti-Austrian activities, remove officials Austria blamed for the assassination, and allow Austrian investigators into Serbia.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany’s plan to quickly beat France and then fight Russia – it failed.

Eastern Front

Fighting between Germany/Austria and Russia.

Western Front

Fighting with trenches between Germany and France/Britain.

Gallipoli

Failed Allied attack on the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

• Allies vs. Ottoman Empire

• Ottoman victory

Verdun

Longest battle in WWI between France and Germany.

• France vs. Germany

• French victory

Jutland

Largest sea battle of WWI – Germany vs. Britain.

• Britain vs. Germany

• British victory

Somme

• Britain & France vs. Germany

• Inconclusive, Allied gains

Marne

Key battle where French stopped German advance near Paris.

• France & Britain vs. Germany

• Allied victory

Ypres

Series of battles with poison gas used in Belgium.

• Allies vs. Germany

• mostly Allied victories

Tannenberg

• Germany vs. Russia

• German victory

Zimmerman Note

Secret message where Germany asked Mexico to attack the US.

USW - (Unrestricted Submarine Warfare)

Germany attacked all ships, even neutral ones like Lusitania.

Propaganda

Posters and messages used to influence public opinion.

Mobilization

Getting armies and supplies ready for war.

Total War

Everyone in a country helps with the war effort

Casualty

Soldiers that were injured during war

POW (Prisoner of War)

Soldier captured and held by the enemy.

MIA (Missing in Action)

A soldier who was captured or disappeared during battle.

Mortality

Number of people who died.

Conscription / Draft

Forced enlistment of civilians into military service during World War I

Homefront

What people do at home to support the war (factories, food, etc.).

Armistice

Agreement to stop fighting

Reparation

Money Germany had to pay after the war for damages.

Paris Peace Conference

Meeting in 1919 where Allies decided how to punish Central Powers.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. President who wanted peace after the war (14 Points).

Georges Clemenceau

French leader who wanted to punish Germany harshly.

David Lloyd George

British leader who wanted to punish Germany but not too much.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty that ended WWI; blamed Germany and punished it.

14 Points

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s 1918 proposal outlining principles for peace after World War I, emphasizing self-determination, open diplomacy, free trade, and the creation of a League of Nations.

League of Nations

Group of countries formed to stop future wars (U.S. didn’t join).

Self-Determination

People should pick their own government.

Sovereign

a person or entity that holds supreme power

Trench Warfare

Fighting from long ditches; used a lot in WWI.

German Bitterness

Germany was angry after being blamed and punished – helped cause WWII.

Foundations for WWII / Interwar Period

• Germany was angered by the harsh Treaty of Versailles.

• The Great Depression helped dictators gain power.

• No one stopped countries like Germany and Japan from taking land.

Tsar Nicholas II

Last king of Russia; poor leadership and decisions caused Russian Revolution..

Rasputin

Strange man with influence over the royal family; people didn’t trust him.

Reason for the Revolution

People were poor, hungry, and angry at bad leadership and war.

Bolsheviks (Reds)

Group led by Lenin that wanted communism; took over Russia.

Whites

Group that fought against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War.

Provisional Government

Temporary government after Tsar left – it failed.

Peace, Land, and Bread

Lenin’s promise to the people: end war, give land and food.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of Bolsheviks and first leader of communist Russia.

Joseph Stalin

Took over after Lenin; ruled with fear until 1953.

Leon Trotsky

Helped lead revolution and army; lost power struggle to Stalin.

USSR - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Communist country formed in 1922 after revolution (lasted until 1991).

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace deal between Russia and Germany in 1918; Russia left WWI.