World War 1 and The Russian Revolution

What is militarism?

Militarism is the belief in building a strong military and being prepared to use it to defend or promote national interests.

Why was WWI the first war with advanced weaponry and tactics?

It was the first major war to use technologies like machine guns, tanks, airplanes, poison gas, and long-range artillery on a large scale.

What is an arms race and how did it lead to WWI?

An arms race is a competition to build the most powerful military; it increased tensions and readiness for war among European powers.

What effect did militarism have on pre-war European politics?

It made diplomacy more aggressive and gave military leaders greater political influence.

What is an alliance?

A formal agreement between countries to support one another in conflict.

Why did nations form alliances before WWI?

To protect themselves from threats and balance power, but this made it easier for a small conflict to escalate into a world war.

What was the Triple Alliance?

An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

What was the Triple Entente?

An alliance between Britain, France, and Russia.

How did alliances lead to global war in 1914?

Alliances caused a local conflict to expand as countries honored mutual defense agreements.

What is imperialism?

A policy where stronger nations dominate weaker ones politically, economically, or militarily.

How did imperialism lead to WWI?

Competition over colonies and resources created tension among European powers.

Which empires clashed over colonies before WWI?

Britain, France, and Germany in Africa; Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkans and Middle East.

What is nationalism?

Extreme pride in one's country or ethnic group, often with the desire for independence or dominance.

How did nationalism cause WWI?

Fueled rivalries between countries and ethnic groups within empires.

Why were the Balkans called the "powder keg" of Europe?

Ethnic tensions and nationalist ambitions made the region highly unstable.

What happened in Bosnia in 1908?

Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia, angering Serbia.

What was the Black Hand?

A secret Serbian nationalist group that used violence to create a Greater Serbia.

What did Gavrilo Princip do in 1914?

Assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, triggering WWI.

Why was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand important?

It directly led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, starting a chain of alliances.

What was Germany’s “blank check”?

Germany’s unconditional promise to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia.

What was the “Domino Effect” in WWI?

A chain reaction of alliances led one country after another into war.

Who were the Central Powers?

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

Who were the Allied Powers?

France, Britain, Russia, later joined by Italy, Japan, and the U.S.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany’s plan to defeat France quickly through Belgium, then turn to fight Russia.

Why did Germany invade Belgium?

To outflank French defenses and reach Paris quickly.

Why did Britain enter WWI?

Germany violated Belgium’s neutrality, which Britain had vowed to protect.

What happened at the First Battle of the Marne?

The French and British stopped the German advance near Paris, ending the Schlieffen Plan.

How were troops transported during the Marne battle?

The French used Paris taxis to rush soldiers to the front.

What is trench warfare?

A type of combat where soldiers fight from opposing lines of deep trenches.

What was “No Man’s Land”?

The dangerous area between enemy trenches, full of barbed wire and gunfire.

What were trench conditions like?

Miserable: mud, rats, lice, disease, and constant danger.

What was “shell shock”?

Psychological trauma from prolonged exposure to battle; now known as PTSD.

What diseases were common in the trenches?

Trench foot, dysentery, typhus, and lice infestations.

What was the Battle of Verdun?

A 10-month battle in 1916 where Germany tried to bleed France dry; over 700,000 casualties.

What was the Battle of the Somme?

A British-led 1916 battle that resulted in over 1 million casualties with little land gained.

What was warfare like on the Eastern Front?

More mobile than the Western Front, but still brutal with high casualties.

What happened at the Battle of Tannenberg?

Germany crushed the Russian army; only 10,000 of 150,000 soldiers escaped.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Masurian Lakes?

Another German victory that forced Russian troops out of East Prussia.

Why did Italy join the Allies in 1915?

Promised territorial gains by the Allies in the Treaty of London.

What was the Gallipoli Campaign?

A failed Allied attempt to open a sea route to Russia through Ottoman territory.

How were airplanes used in WWI?

Initially for reconnaissance; later for dogfights and bombing.

Who was the Red Baron?

Manfred von Richthofen, Germany’s top fighter pilot with 80 kills.

What were zeppelins used for in WWI?

German airships used to bomb British cities, but were vulnerable to fire.

What is total war?

A war that involves all aspects of society, including civilians and the economy.

How did governments control the economy during WWI?

Through rationing, wage limits, price controls, and nationalizing industries.

What was the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)?

A British law allowing censorship, arrest of dissenters, and wartime control of resources.

How was propaganda used in WWI?

To boost morale, encourage enlistment, and portray the enemy as evil.

What roles did women take during WWI?

Worked in factories, farms, transport, and took over many jobs left by men.

What happened to women after the war?

Many lost their jobs but gained voting rights in several countries.

What was unrestricted submarine warfare?

German policy of sinking all ships, including civilian ones, near enemy coasts.

What happened to the Lusitania?

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing over 1,100 people including Americans.

What was the Zimmerman Telegram?

A secret German message to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S.; intercepted and published by Britain.

Why did the U.S. enter WWI?

Due to unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmerman Telegram, and economic ties to the Allies.

What was Russia’s state during WWI?

Widespread food shortages, military defeats, and political unrest led to revolution.

Who was Rasputin?

A mystic who influenced Czarina Alexandra and was blamed for government corruption.

What was the March Revolution?

Mass protests in Petrograd led to Czar Nicholas II’s abdication in 1917.

What was the Duma?

Russia’s parliament; formed a provisional government after the czar abdicated.

Why did Kerensky’s government lose support?

It kept Russia in the war and failed to address food shortages.

What were Soviets?

Councils of workers and soldiers that challenged the provisional government’s authority.

How did Lenin return to Russia?

Germany smuggled him in hoping he would weaken the Russian war effort.

What did Lenin promise?

“Peace, Land, and Bread” — appealing to soldiers, peasants, and workers.

What was the Bolshevik Revolution?

In November 1917, the Bolsheviks seized power and overthrew the provisional government.

What reforms did Lenin implement?

Took Russia out of WWI, redistributed land, and gave control of factories to workers.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Peace treaty between Bolshevik Russia and Germany that ended Russia’s involvement in WWI.

What happened to the Romanovs?

The royal family was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

What was the Russian Civil War?

A conflict between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and White Army (anti-Bolsheviks); Reds won.

What was the Cheka?

The Bolshevik secret police that used terror to eliminate opposition.

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

Lenin’s temporary compromise allowing limited private enterprise to revive the economy.

What was the USSR?

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, formed in 1922 under Communist rule.

Was the USSR a democracy?

No; though it claimed to be, the Communist Party held total power.

What was the Kiel Mutiny?

A German naval revolt in 1918 that helped spark the German Revolution.

What was the Weimar Republic?

Germany’s democratic government formed after WWI; faced instability and resentment.

Who were the Social Democrats?

A moderate socialist party that led Germany’s post-war government.

What was the Council of People’s Commissars?

The Bolshevik governing body created after the October Revolution.

Who were Leon Trotsky and V.I. Lenin?

Leaders of the Bolshevik Revolution; founded the Soviet regime and led the Red Army.

What guided France’s peace goals at Versailles?

Security and revenge; they wanted to weaken Germany permanently.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

1919 treaty that ended WWI and imposed harsh penalties on Germany.

What was Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?

Known as the War Guilt Clause; placed full blame for the war on Germany.

What were Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

U.S. peace proposal promoting self-determination, open diplomacy, and a League of Nations.

What was the League of Nations?

An international peacekeeping organization formed after WWI; the U.S. never joined.

Which country was the Treaty of Versailles signed with?

Germany

Where was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated?

Sarajevo, Bosnia

Which country declared war first in WWI?

Austria-Hungary, on Serbia, after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.