Unit 3 – Competing National Interests (Social 20-1)

Flashcards cover key terms, events, and concepts from Unit 3: Competing National Interests, including causes of WWI, major alliances, Canadian experiences, and post-war treaties.

What is meant by a nation’s “national interest”?

The aspects a particular nation views as important to achieve internationally, guiding its foreign policy.

Define militarism.

A policy of aggression and building large armed forces (army, navy, air force).

What are alliances in the context of international relations?

Formal agreements joining countries in friendship for the mutual benefit and defence of all members.

Define imperialism.

A dominant country extending its control—political, economic, or cultural—over another, weaker country or territory.

What is nationalism?

The feelings people have in identifying with, and showing loyalty to, their nation.

What is foreign policy?

The beliefs and methods a country uses when dealing with other countries.

Explain xenophobia.

An unreasonable fear, distrust, or hatred of strangers, foreigners, or anything perceived as foreign or different.

What is ‘identity’ in social-studies terms?

Key characteristics people use to describe who they are, shaped by background and experiences.

List the four long-term causes of World War I.

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

Why was Europe called a “powder keg” before 1914?

Tensions from militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism made the continent ready to explode into war at any spark.

Who were the members of the Triple Alliance in 1914?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Italy switched sides in 1915).

Who were the members of the Triple Entente in 1914?

Britain, France, and Russia.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France via Belgium, then turn east against Russia.

Why was the Balkans region called a ‘powder keg’?

Intense nationalist rivalries and great-power interests made conflict highly likely there.

What event on 28 June 1914 sparked WWI?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo.

What was the goal of the Black Hand organization?

To unite all southern Slavic peoples into one state, using violence if necessary.

Why did Austria-Hungary issue an ultimatum to Serbia in July 1914?

It blamed Serbia for the Archduke’s assassination and sought to curb Serbian nationalism.

What was Germany’s “blank cheque”?

Unconditional support promised by Germany to Austria-Hungary against Serbia, July 1914.

Why did Britain declare war on Germany on 4 August 1914?

Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium violated a treaty Britain had sworn to uphold.

Why did Canada automatically enter WWI in 1914?

As a colony of Britain, Canada went to war when Britain did.

Define conscription.

Compulsory military service—citizens are legally required to join the armed forces.

What was the Conscription Crisis of 1917 in Canada?

A major domestic conflict when the federal government imposed compulsory service amid falling enlistment, opposed especially in Québec.

How does NAFTA illustrate Canada pursuing national interest?

By securing markets and positive relations with the U.S. and Mexico through free-trade agreements.

What were President Wilson’s primary aims in his Fourteen Points?

Just peace, self-determination, open diplomacy, and creation of the League of Nations.

What did the ‘war guilt clause’ of the Treaty of Versailles require?

Germany accepted full responsibility for causing WWI.

How much were German reparations set at after WWI?

£6.6 billion (about US $12.5 billion at the time).

What happened to Germany’s Rhineland under the Treaty of Versailles?

It was demilitarized and occupied by Allied forces.

Why were Alsace and Lorraine significant in WWI peace talks?

These provinces, lost by France in 1871, were returned from Germany to France in 1919.

What was the League of Nations intended to do?

Provide an international forum to resolve disputes peacefully and prevent future wars.

Why is Vimy Ridge important to Canadian nationalism?

All four Canadian divisions fought together and captured the ridge, boosting national pride and autonomy.

What battle is infamous for deep mud and massive Canadian casualties in 1917?

The Battle of Passchendaele.

What is the Royal 22e Regiment better known as, and why?

“The Van Doos,” from the French “vingt-deuxième,” Canada’s famed French-speaking battalion in WWI.

Name Canada’s most decorated Indigenous WWI soldier.

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow, awarded the Military Medal with two bars.

Who were labelled “enemy aliens” in Canada during WWI?

Immigrants from countries Canada was fighting—mainly Austro-Hungarians and Germans—who faced registration and internment.

Give two main purposes of wartime propaganda posters.

(1) Boost nationalism and morale; (2) Encourage enlistment, war bonds, or support roles.

What message did the German poster ‘L’Entente Cordiale’ portray?

It depicted Britain as a predatory spider ensnaring Europe, casting Germany as Europe’s defender.

Which two nations led the pre-1914 naval arms race?

Britain and Germany.

Explain Pan-Slavism versus Pan-Germanism.

Pan-Slavism sought unity of Slavic peoples (backed by Russia); Pan-Germanism aimed to unite Germanic peoples under Germany.

What was Bismarck’s main goal with his alliance system?

To keep France isolated and maintain peace by balancing rival powers around Germany.

What was the Entente Cordiale (1904)?

A ‘friendly agreement’ that settled colonial disputes and aligned Britain and France diplomatically.

Why was the Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement (1902) significant for Britain?

It let Britain focus its fleet in Europe while Japan helped protect British interests in Asia.

When was the Triple Entente completed, and by which agreement?

In 1907, when Russia joined the existing Anglo-French understanding.

What promise lured Italy from the Triple Alliance to the Allies in 1915?

Secret pledges of Austrian territory in the Treaty of London.

How did WWI enhance Canada’s international status at Versailles?

Canada signed the Treaty separately and gained a seat in the League of Nations.

Which of Wilson’s Fourteen Points called for ‘open diplomacy’?

Point 1—no more secret treaties.

Roughly how many people died worldwide from the 1918-19 Spanish Flu?

About 50 million—more than were killed in WWI combat.

What does the phrase “Careless talk costs lives” illustrate?

WWII (and WWI) propaganda warning civilians against leaking military information that could aid the enemy.

Why were many Canadians of Central-European origin interned 1914-20?

War-time xenophobia led to suspicion they might aid the enemy; failure to report or unemployment could trigger confinement.

Name one major WWI internment camp in Canada.

Kapuskasing, Ontario (others include Jasper, Spirit Lake, Brandon, etc.).

What is the importance of ‘perspective’ in Social Studies?

Recognizing how background and experiences shape viewpoints, essential for balanced analysis of historical issues.