History ww1

What does M.A.I.N. stand for in the causes of WWI?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

How did militarism contribute to WWI?

Arms races and military planning made war more likely; large armies increased tensions.

What were the major alliances before WWI?

Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy; Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia

How did imperialism cause tensions in Europe?

Competition for colonies, especially in Africa and Asia, increased rivalries.

How did nationalism lead to WWI?

Ethnic groups wanted independence; national pride fueled competition among major powers.

What event sparked WWI?

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (June 28, 1914)

Who was Gavrilo Princip?

A Serbian nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Why did Britain enter WWI?

Germany invaded neutral Belgium, violating the Treaty of London.

What was the goal of the Schlieffen Plan?

Quickly defeat France before Russia could mobilize.

What went wrong with the Schlieffen Plan?

Belgium resisted, Britain entered the war, and Russia mobilized faster than expected

What was France’s Plan XVII?

France’s pre-war strategy focused on quickly recapturing Alsace-Lorraine. It failed due to underestimating German strength.

What was the significance of the Battle of the Marne (1914)?

Stopped German advance, led to trench warfare.

What was "No Man’s Land"?

The area between opposing trenches, extremely dangerous due to machine guns, artillery, and barbed wire.

Why was trench warfare so deadly?

Machine guns, barbed wire, artillery made attacks nearly suicidal.

What were common problems in trenches?

Disease, lice, trench foot, poor food, rats.

What weapons made trench warfare more destructive?

Poison gas, machine guns, artillery, tanks.

What was the first poison gas used in WWI?

Chlorine gas, first used in 1915.

What were tanks used for in WWI?

Crossing trenches and breaking enemy lines; early models were slow and unreliable.

What was the "creeping barrage"?

Artillery fire moved forward to protect advancing troops.

What was the goal of the Battle of Verdun (1916)?

Germany wanted to “bleed France dry.” (make france weak with lack of resources etc.)

What was the result of the Battle of Verdun?

France held Verdun but with around 700,000 casualties.

Why was the Battle of the Somme (1916) significant?

Over 1 million casualties; first use of tanks.

What happened at the Battle of Tannenberg (1914)?

Germany defeated Russia, exposing Russian military weaknesses.

What was the Brusilov Offensive (1916)?

A Russian campaign that weakened Austria-Hungary but caused huge Russian losses.

What is "total war"?

A conflict where nations mobilize all available resources—military and civilian—for the war effort. Civilians and infrastructure are considered legitimate targets.

How did governments control the economy during WWI?

Nationalized industries, rationing, wage/price controls.

How did women contribute to the war effort?

Worked in factories, served as nurses, filled support roles

How was propaganda used?

Encouraged enlistment, rationing, and support for the war.

What was the Spanish Flu?

A deadly pandemic (1918–1919) that killed millions globally.

What medical innovations came from WWI?

Mobile X-rays, antiseptics, blood transfusions, triage systems.

What was "shell shock"?

A psychological condition experienced by soldiers exposed to prolonged combat; now recognized as PTSD.

Why did Russia leave WWI?

Due to the Bolshevik Revolution; signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918).

Why did the USA enter WWI?

Unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram.

What was the German Spring Offensive (1918)?

Final German push on the Western Front; failed due to exhaustion and US reinforcements.

When was the Armistice signed?

November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM.

What is Trench Warfare?

A form of warfare where opposing armies fight from long dug-out trenches, common on the Western Front. It led to stalemates and high casualties.

What is a War of Attrition?

A strategy aimed at wearing down the enemy by continuous losses in personnel and resources.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany’s pre-war strategy to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France via Belgium before turning to fight Russia.

What is Propaganda (in WWI)?

Government-controlled media used to influence public opinion, encourage enlistment, and maintain morale.

What is a Blockade?

A military tactic to isolate a country by cutting off its supply routes; Britain blockaded Germany to starve it of resources.

What are Victory Gardens?

Civilian-grown food gardens intended to support the war effort and reduce pressure on public food supply.

What is Rationing?

Controlled distribution of scarce resources (like food and fuel) to support the war effort.

What is the Western Front?

The main battle line in WWI, stretching from Belgium to Switzerland, characterized by trench warfare.

What is the Eastern Front?

A more mobile battlefield between Germany/Austria-Hungary and Russia; involved large movements and territory gains/losses.

What was the Home Front?

Civilian activities and sacrifices made to support the war effort—economically, industrially, and socially.

Who was Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne; his assassination in 1914 triggered WWI.

Who was Gavrilo Princip?

Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.

Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Emperor of Germany during WWI; his aggressive foreign policy and support for Austria-Hungary escalated tensions.

Who was General Erich von Falkenhayn?

German Chief of General Staff during Verdun; aimed to "bleed France dry" in a war of attrition.

Who was General Philippe Pétain?

French general who defended Verdun with the motto "They shall not pass!"

Who was Douglas Haig?

British commander at the Battle of the Somme, criticized for high casualties and perceived overreliance on outdated tactics.

Who was Woodrow Wilson?

US President during WWI; led the US into war in 1917 and later proposed the Fourteen Points and League of Nations.

Who was Tsar Nicholas II?

Last Emperor of Russia; abdicated during the 1917 Russian Revolution, which led to Russia’s withdrawal from the war.

Who was Vladimir Lenin?

Leader of the Bolshevik Revolution; signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russian involvement in WWI.

Who was David Lloyd George?

British Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI; key figure at the Versailles negotiations.