World War 1 Definitions - WS

Long-Run Causes of WWI (Need to know 2)

1. Imperialism

• Definition: A nation's attempt to dominate other countries politically and economically through colonization.
  
  

• Example: Germany resented Britain and France for controlling more colonies—e.g., Britain had India, France had Algeria, and Germany had few African territories.
  
  

• Tension: Germany challenged French control in Morocco (1905, 1911)—increased hostility and distrust between Germany and France.
  
  

2. Militarism

• Definition: The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.
  
  

• Example: Germany and Britain entered a naval arms race (e.g., Germany built battleships to rival Britain's navy).
  
  

• Tension: Created a war-ready mindset; made diplomatic solutions less likely as military leaders gained more influence in decision-making.

Weapons & Tactics in WWI (Need to know 2)

1. Machine Guns

• Impact: Fired 400–600 rounds per minute; required several men to operate as a result of industrialization.
  
  

• Result: Made frontal assaults nearly suicidal; led to massive casualties and stalemates in trench warfare (e.g., Battle of the Somme).
  
  

2. Poison Gas

• Impact: Used to disable or kill enemy soldiers (chlorine, mustard gas), a result of industrialization, one of the first chemical weapons ever.
  
  

• Result: Caused horrific injuries and panic; introduced psychological warfare. First used by Germany at Second Battle of Ypres (1915).

Treaty of Versailles - Goals of Major Powers (Need to know 2)

1. France – Georges Clemenceau

• Goal: Punish Germany harshly and ensure they could never attack again.
  
  

• Treaty Example: Demilitarized the Rhineland; demanded high reparations; return of Alsace-Lorraine.
  
  

2. U.S. – Woodrow Wilson

• Goal: Create lasting peace and prevent future wars through diplomacy.
  
  

• Treaty Example: Included the League of Nations, but many of Wilson’s 14 Points (like disarmament for all) were rejected.

Unfair Aspects of the Treaty of Versailles (Need to know 2)

1. War Guilt Clause (Article 231)

• Why included: Legal basis for reparations; blamed Germany for the entire war.
  
  

• Why unfair: Ignored shared responsibility (e.g., Austria-Hungary’s actions); humiliated Germany and angered its people.
  
  

2. Reparations

• Why included: To make Germany pay for war damages, especially to France and Belgium.
  
  

• Why unfair: The amount (132 billion gold marks) crippled Germany's economy and led to hyperinflation in the early 1920s.

Wilson’s 14 Points vs. Treaty of Versailles (Need to know 2)

1. Self-Determination (Point 10)

• In Treaty: Some new countries created (e.g., Czechoslovakia, Poland).
  
  

• Not fully applied: Ethnic Germans placed in Czechoslovakia and Poland; colonial territories ignored.
  
  

2. Reduction of Armaments (Point 4)

• Treaty: Only Germany was forced to disarm (100,000 troops, no submarines or air force).
  
  

• Not in Treaty: Other countries kept large armies; one-sided enforcement.

• Imperialism:
  A policy of a country extending its power to other nations, typically through colonisation.

• Militarism:
  Emphasis on military power which fueled the arms race and readiness for war.

• Nationalism:
  Intense national pride leading to rivalry among nations.

• Alliances:
  Agreements for mutual defense/benefit, often military, triggering war declarations.

• Trench Warfare:
  Static, defensive combat in which there would be hundreds/thousands of casualties for mere meters of land.

• Reparations:
  Heavy payments Germany was forced to make under the Treaty of Versailles.
  ⤷ War Guilt Clause: Article 231 of Treaty of Versailles blaming Germany.

• Archduke Francis Ferdinand:
  Heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, he was assassinated in 1914. The government accused Serbia of being involved in the murder, sparking tensions which further escalated to starting the war.

• The "Black Hand":
  A Serbian nationalist terrorist group responsible for assassinating Archduke.

• Kaiser William II:
  German emperor who gave Austria a “blank check” of support.

• Battle of Verdun / Somme:
  Two of the deadliest wars from WWI.
  Verdun: Germany vs France
  Somme: Germany vs France + UK

• Treaty of Versailles:
  Peace treaty ending WWI in 1919, primarily blaming Germany.

• Woodrow Wilson:
  US president who proposed Wilson’s 14 Points, which further led to him being a leader in drafting the Treaty of Versailles.

• Georges Clemenceau:
  The French Prime Minister at the time who strongly advocated for Germany to be held accountable in the Treaty of Versailles.