Questions and Answers
What were some of the causes of World War I?
What was the immediate cause of World War I?
Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance?
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
Which countries were part of the Allies?
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What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
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What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Versailles?
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Militarism is defined as the policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.
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What is nationalism?
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What did Germany promise to Austria-Hungary in the 'blank check'?
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What were some new technologies used in WWI?
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What was the Gallipoli Campaign?
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Why did the U.S. enter World War I?
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What was the significance of the 'Marne'?
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What was the 'sinking of the Lusitania'?
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What was the lost generation?
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Study Notes
Causes of World War I
- Key factors included nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and formation of alliances.
- Immediate cause: Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand by a Serbian on June 28, 1914.
Major Alliances
- Triple Alliance: Composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Italy later switched to the Triple Entente).
- Triple Entente: Included Russia, France, and Great Britain.
Key Countries Involved
- Allies: France, Russia, Great Britain.
- Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire.
Significant Treaties
- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: Resulted in Russia ceding substantial territory to Germany, marking its exit from the war.
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Treaty of Versailles Provisions:
- Stripped Germany of military capability.
- Required Germany to pay reparations totaling $33 billion.
- Germany acknowledged guilt for causing WWI and was forbidden from manufacturing weapons.
Military Strategies and Warfare
- Schlieffen Plan: German strategy for a quick defeat of France through Belgium, leading to trench warfare.
- Trench Warfare: Characterized by poor living conditions and significant casualties, leading to stalemate scenarios.
- Weapon Technology: Introduced tanks, poison gas, machine guns, and advanced artillery to combat.
Notable Battles
- Battle of Marne: Ended Germany's hopes for a swift victory and thwarted the Schlieffen Plan.
- Battle of Verdun: One of the bloodiest battles; over a million casualties with no territorial gains for either side.
- Battle of Somme: Featured massive casualties and ended in a stalemate, with British forces losing 60,000 men on the first day.
U.S. Involvement
- U.S. entered the war due to attacks on American ships, violation of international law, and the Zimmermann note suggesting an alliance with Mexico.
Key Figures
- Kaiser Wilhelm II: German leader pushing for aggressive foreign policies contributing to tensions before WWI.
- Woodrow Wilson: U.S. President who proposed the Fourteen Points to prevent future wars, advocating for the League of Nations.
Genocide and Propaganda
- Armenian Genocide: Organized killings leading to over a million deaths during the war.
- Propaganda: Information spread to promote causes and influence public opinion regarding the war.
Social and Economic Effects
- Spanish Flu Pandemic: Occurred in 1918, killing more than 50 million people globally.
- Lost Generation: The cohort that faced devastating losses due to war and disease.
Post-War Changes
- Treaty outcomes created new borders, including the Polish Corridor for access to the Baltic Sea.
- Few countries remained independent, with Ethiopia and Liberia being notable examples.
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Description
This quiz delves into the significant causes of World War I, including nationalism, imperialism, and militarism. It covers major alliances formed during the war, the key countries involved, and impactful treaties like the Treaty of Versailles. Test your knowledge on this pivotal historical event.
