World War I to Cold War: Key Events and Transformations

Franz Ferdinand

Austrian heir whose assassination triggered WWI.

The Black Hand

Radical Serbian group seeking to destabilize Austria.

Assassination - 1914

Killing of Franz Ferdinand in Deriyevo. Austria blamed Serbia for supporting the assassination.

Blank Check

Germany's unconditional support for Austria-Hungary.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategy to fight France and Russia simultaneously.

Belgian Neutrality

Germany violated Belgium's neutrality to invade France.

Trench Warfare

Static, brutal combat characterized WWI battles.

No Man's Land

Devastated area between opposing trenches.

Battle of Verdun

Infamous battle leading to massive casualties on both sides.

War of Attrition

Strategy to outlast the opponent in warfare.

Erich von Falkenhayn

German general known for Verdun's brutal tactics.

Battle of Tannenberg

Decisive German victory against Russia in 1914.

Eastern Front

The theater of war between Germany and Russia.

North Sea Blockade

GB blocks supplies, including food and clothing.

Hindenburg and Ludendorff

Key figures in organizing German economy.

Railway Guns

Artillery capable of firing long distances.

War Bonds

Government funding method to avoid bankruptcy.

Russian Revolution of 1917

Major upheaval leading to regime change.

Nicholas II

Ineffective ruler, lacking military experience.

Rasputin's Influence

Spiritual advisor with controversial healing methods.

Women's Day Strikes

Female workers' strikes lead to political change.

Kerensky's Provisional Government

Socialist leader managing radical Soviet pressures.

Bolsheviks

Radical faction advocating for a communist revolution.

Lenin's Return

Germany facilitates Lenin's return to destabilize Russia.

Civil War in Russia

Conflict between pro-Soviets and anti-revolutionaries.

Bolshevik Victory

Red Army triumphs under Leon Trotsky's leadership.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty ceding territory from Russia to Germany.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

German tactic sinking ships, risking US involvement.

Woodrow Wilson

Advocated for democracy and peace post-WWI.

14-point peace plan

Wilson's proposal for a fair peace settlement.

Kaiser Wilhelm

German emperor who resigned after military failures.

November Revolution

Russian revolution leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Friedrich Ebert

Leader promoting democracy in post-war Germany.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty imposing harsh penalties on Germany.

The Big Four

Key leaders at the Versailles negotiations: Wilson, Clemenceau, Orlando, George.

Czechoslovakia

New nation formed by Czech nationalists after WWI.

Spanish Influenza

Pandemic that emerged post-WWI, exacerbating social issues.

Rhineland

Region where Germany was prohibited from stationing troops.

Russo-Polish War

Conflict over territorial claims between Russia and Poland.

Hyperinflation

Rapid increase in prices leading to currency devaluation.

Dawes Plan

US loaning Germany 2.5 billion to stabilize economy.

Treaty of Locarno

1925 agreement for peace between France, Germany, and England.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

1928 treaty declaring war illegal among signatory nations.

Weimar Republic

German government post-WWI, associated with Treaty of Versailles.

November Criminals

Term for those who signed the WWI armistice.

Cultural Dynamism

Emergence of subcultures during social upheaval in Germany.

Paul von Hindenburg

German military leader opposed to the Weimar Republic.

Raymond Poincaré

French president focused on maintaining post-war reparations.

Ruhr Valley Occupation

French occupation of Germany for reparations enforcement.

Great Depression

Global economic downturn affecting interconnected markets.

John Maynard Keynes

Economist advocating for government spending to stimulate economy.

Economic Cycle

Recurrent phases of economic growth and decline.

Social Safety Nets

Government programs to support unemployed and vulnerable populations.

Reparations

Payments imposed on Germany after WWI, totaling 33 billion.

Ebert's Deal

Political compromise to maintain conservative influence in Germany.

Totalitarianism

A political system centralized under one authority.

Fascism

Extreme nationalism and anti-democratic ideology.

Benito Mussolini

Italian dictator who established fascism.

Gabriele d'Annunzio

Italian nationalist who seized control by force.

Corporatist State

Government system aligning with powerful business interests.

The Lateran Accords

Agreement establishing Vatican City as a state.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Soviet Union, initiated communism.

New Economic Policy

Lenin's compromise allowing limited capitalism.

Joseph Stalin

Leader who industrialized the Soviet Union through terror.

Leon Trotsky

Stalin's rival advocating for global revolution.

Five Year Plans

Stalin's economic strategy for rapid industrialization.

Collectivization

State control of agriculture, leading to famine.

Ukrainian Famine

Mass starvation caused by Stalin's policies.

Gulag

Soviet forced labor camps for political prisoners.

Anticapitalism

Opposition to capitalism, favoring collective ownership.

Political Purges

Elimination of dissenters within the Communist Party.

Blackshirts

Mussolini's paramilitary group enforcing fascist policies.

Radical Right Wing

Political ideology promoting extreme nationalism and authoritarianism.

Frustrated Winners

Post-WWI sentiment among Italians feeling cheated.

Beer Hall Putsch

Failed coup attempt by Hitler in 1923.

Weimar Republic

Democratic government in Germany post-WWI.

Bavaria

Southern German region, nationalist stronghold.

Mein Kampf

Hitler's autobiography outlining his ideology.

Lebensraum

Concept of expanding German territory for living space.

Great Depression

Global economic downturn beginning in 1929.

Paul von Hindenburg

President of Germany who appointed Hitler Chancellor.

Frederich Ebert

Weimar president who effectively used emergency powers.

Heinrich Bruning

Chancellor known as 'The Hunger Chancellor' during Depression.

Franz von Papen

Failed Chancellor who supported Hitler's rise.

Kurt von Schleicher

Chancellor who struggled to stabilize the government.

Political Crisis

Period of instability leading to authoritarian rule.

Right-Wing Nationalists

Political group supporting conservative, nationalist policies.

Eric von Ludendorff

Military leader involved in Beer Hall Putsch.

Youthful Nazi Party

Hitler's strategy to attract younger voters.

Reichstag Fire

1933 event used by Hitler to consolidate power.

Gleichschaltung

Nazification process of German government institutions.

Joseph Goebbels

Minister of Propaganda, promoted Nazi ideology.

Triumph of the Will

Propaganda film showcasing Hitler's leadership.

Hitler Youth

Youth organization promoting Nazi values and loyalty.

SS (Schutzstaffel)

Hitler's elite bodyguard and terror organization.

Gestapo

Secret police enforcing Nazi laws and terror.

Working towards the Fuhrer

Concept of subordinates acting on Hitler's vision.

Regime of ceaseless rationalization

Constantly radicalizing actions to align with Nazi goals.

Forced sterilization

Nazi policy targeting disabled individuals for extermination.

Treaty of Versailles

Post-WWI agreement limiting Germany's military.