Untitled Flashcards Set

Topic 17 Study Guide

Lessons 1-2: Road to War

“M.A.I.N.” causes of World War I:

• Militarism: The aggressive buildup of armed forces. Example: European nations expanded their armies, with Germany and France each having nearly 900,000 troops.

• Alliances: Agreements between countries to support each other in conflict. Example: The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia).

• Imperialism: The competition for overseas territories heightened tensions. Example: Germany and Britain competed for colonial dominance.

• Nationalism: Pride in one's nation led to tensions, particularly in the Balkans, where Slavic groups sought independence from Austria-Hungary.

Compare the nations leading up to WWI:

• Kaiser William II (Germany): Aggressive foreign policy, militaristic, dismissed Bismarck.

• Czar Nicholas II (Russia): Weak leadership, influenced by Rasputin, economic struggles.

• Georges Clemenceau (France): Nationalist, focused on weakening Germany.

• Woodrow Wilson (United States): Advocated for peace and neutrality but later entered WWI.

• David Lloyd George (Britain): Focused on military strength and economic interests.

Early Dates:

• Assassination of Franz Ferdinand: June 28, 1914

• Declaration of War (Austria-Serbia): July 28, 1914

• Declaration of War (Germany-Russia): August 1, 1914

• Declaration of War (Germany-France): August 3, 1914

What region in Eastern Europe was the center of many nationalistic revolutions?

• The Balkans

Why was it known as a “powder keg”?

• Ethnic tensions, nationalistic uprisings, and the presence of multiple competing empires made it highly unstable.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian and member of the Black Hand.

Who gave Austria-Hungary “full support” in its declaration of war? Why?

• Germany gave Austria-Hungary full support (the "blank check") to back them against Serbia.

Explain the Schlieffen Plan (and its failure):

• Germany planned to invade France quickly through Belgium, then turn to fight Russia. It failed because Belgium resisted, Britain intervened, and Russia mobilized faster than expected.

Who declared war on Russia? Why?

• Germany, because Russia mobilized its army in support of Serbia.

Who declared war on Germany? Why?

• Britain, after Germany invaded Belgium, violating its neutrality.

Lesson 3-4: World War I

Why did Europeans think the war would end in a few weeks?

• Previous wars had been short, and governments believed their military strategies would lead to a quick victory.

Where was the Western Front? What are its main characteristics?

• France and Belgium; characterized by trench warfare and stalemates.

Where was the Eastern Front? What are its main characteristics?

• Russia and Eastern Europe; more mobile warfare, but high casualties.

Describe trench warfare (include the effect on soldiers as well):

• Soldiers lived in trenches, facing disease, mud, rats, and constant artillery fire. Psychological effects included "shell shock" (PTSD).

New technologies used in WWI:

• Machine guns, poison gas, tanks, airplanes, submarines (U-boats), and zeppelins.

Battles (dates, key characteristics, impact):

• 1st Marne (1914): Stopped German advance, beginning of trench warfare.

• Verdun (1916): Longest battle, heavy casualties, symbol of French resilience.

• Somme (1916): Over 1 million casualties, first use of tanks.

• 1st Ypres (1914): Major early battle, introduction of chemical weapons.

• Jutland (1916): Largest naval battle, British maintained naval dominance.

• 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) (1917): Heavy rain, muddy battlefield, British offensive.

• Amiens (1918): Turning point, beginning of Allied counteroffensive.

• 2nd Marne (1918): Last major German offensive, Allies push back.

**The stance of the United States at the beginning of WWI was neutral.

Two causes of U.S. entry into WWI:

1. Unrestricted submarine warfare: Germany sank U.S. ships, including the Lusitania.

2. Zimmermann Telegram: Germany tried to convince Mexico to attack the U.S.

How did WWI affect the home fronts?

• Rationing, propaganda, women working in factories, economic strain.

Main traits of propaganda and how it was used in WWI:

• Encouraged enlistment, demonized the enemy, and promoted war bonds.

Armenian Genocide:

• Causes: Ottoman suspicion of Armenian loyalty.

• Key actions: Mass arrests, death marches, massacres.

• Impact: Over 1.5 million Armenians killed.

Lesson 5: Russian Revolution

Czar Nicholas II of the Romanov family was the last czar of Russia.

Reforms after 1905:

• Created the Duma (parliament), but later ignored its authority.

After the czar stepped down, who led the provisional government?

• Alexander Kerensky.

Describe the provisional government:

• Weak leadership, continued the war, unpopular with the public.

The Bolsheviks:

• Leader: Vladimir Lenin

• Ideology and actions: Communist revolution, land redistribution, end of war.

• Seized power: October 1917

• "Peace, Land, and Bread": End war, give land to peasants, improve economy.

New Economic Policies:

• Lenin’s program to allow limited capitalism to stabilize the economy.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918):

• Who signed it? Lenin and Germany.

• Goals: End Russian involvement in WWI.

Russian Civil War (1917-1922):

• Whites: Anti-Bolsheviks (royalists, moderates).

• Reds: Bolsheviks (Lenin's forces).

• Why they fought: Control of Russia.

Trotsky and Stalin after Lenin’s death:

• Trotsky: Wanted world revolution; exiled and assassinated.

• Stalin: Took control, ruled as a dictator.

Lesson 6: The End of the War

Who were the “Big Four”?

• Woodrow Wilson (U.S.), Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Britain), Vittorio Orlando (Italy).

Year U.S. entered WWI: 1917

Effects of Russia’s withdrawal from WWI:

• Allied Powers: Lost eastern front ally.

• Central Powers: Could focus on the western front.

What did Friedrich Ebert do in Germany?

• Led the democratic Weimar Republic.

Define armistice:

• Ceasefire agreement; signed November 11, 1918.

Who proposed the “Fourteen Points”?

• Woodrow Wilson.

Why were they drafted?

• To establish lasting peace.

How was Germany treated in the Treaty of Versailles?

• Article 231 (War Guilt Clause): Blamed Germany.

• Reparations: Payments for war damages.

Treaty that ended WWI: Treaty of Versailles (1919).

How did the map of Europe change?

• New nations: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia. Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empires dissolved.Borders were redrawn, leading to significant shifts in territory and the creation of new political entities, which aimed to reflect the principle of self-determination.