Causes of World War 1 Quiz: 1914-1918 Test Your Knowledge

Questions and Answers

What was a major factor contributing to the heavy loss of life on the Western Front during World War I?

Ineffective bayonet charges against modern weapons like mines, poison gas, and machine guns

What was the main reason for the direct conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia?

The assassination of Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand

Which of the following factors contributed to fierce competition for political power and national pride among nations?

Nationalism

Which event led to Russia signing a humiliating peace treaty with Germany during World War I?

Russian Revolution in 1917 Signup and view all the answers

Why did the alliances among the great powers draw more countries into the conflict?

To ensure defense and security Signup and view all the answers

Which front of World War I saw Japan's involvement on the side of the Allies?

Colonial Fronts Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable characteristic of the Eastern Front during World War I?

Vast open plains and back-and-forth fighting Signup and view all the answers

Which event caused Germany and Ottoman Empire to directly enter into conflict due to common defensive agreements?

Assassination of Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand Signup and view all the answers

Which development broke the stalemate on the Western Front in favor of the Allies during World War I?

Entry of fresh American troops in 1917 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Triple Alliance in relation to the causes of World War I?

It was an agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were part of the neutral group during World War I?

Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Norway Signup and view all the answers

How did the race for empire building contribute to the tensions between Germany, Britain, and France?

By leading to rival claims on colonial territories Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

World War I (1914-1918)

The Belligerents

Allies: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Serbia, Greece, Romania
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria
Neutral: Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Major Factors in the War

Tanks, airplanes, grenades, land mines, submarines, poison gas, and machine guns were introduced for the first time
Britain and France controlled the seas and had large colonial empires to draw resources
Germany had a powerful military and industrial economy
Russia, Italy, Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary had large numbers of troops, but were often poorly led and organized

Western Front

Initial German invasion of France stalled
Network of trenches stretching 400 miles from Switzerland to the English Channel developed
Stalemate with neither side able to advance for most of the war
Major battles: Verdun (February 1916), Somme (July 1916)
Heavy loss of life due to ineffective tactics against modern weapons
Entry of the United States with fresh troops in 1917 broke the stalemate in the Allies' favor

Eastern Front

Germany and Austria-Hungary fought Russian forces
Vast open plains with fighting going back and forth across the area
Heavy loss of life due to modern weapons like machine guns
Brusilov Offensive in 1916: Russian offensive, largely unsuccessful, causing 1.5 million killed and wounded on the Russian side
Russian Revolution in 1917: Russian people rebelled, toppled Czar Nicholas II, and signed a humiliating peace treaty with Germany

Southern Front

Austrian and Italian troops fought trench warfare in Northeast Italy
Largely a stalemate with heavy loss of life till the end of the war

Colonial Fronts

German colonies in Africa were seized by the Allies
France captured Togo and Cameroon, and Britain took Namibia and Tanzania
Japan entered the war on the Allied side and captured German colonies in the Pacific islands and seized German coastal possessions in China

Causes of World War I

Militarism: massive military buildup and competition between nations
Alliances: rival defensive pacts between great powers drew more countries into conflict
Nationalism: fierce competition between nations for political power and national pride
Imperialism: race for empire building and collecting colonies around the globe increased competition and conflict
Assassination: Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated on June 28, 1914, leading to Austria-Hungary and Germany's direct conflict with Serbia and Russia

Causes of World War I: 1914-1918