Causes of WWI

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Questions and Answers

Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance before World War I?

Britain, France, and Russia

Germany, France, and Russia

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire

Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary (correct)

What was one of the conditions of Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia?

Serbia must allow German officials into Serbia.

Serbia must punish all those involved in the assassination plot. (correct)

Serbia must cease all trade with Russia.

Serbia must declare war on Russia.

What was the reaction of Canada to Britain's declaration of war on Germany on August 4, 1914?

Canada joined the war in support of Britain. (correct)

Canada formed its own military alliance.

Canada remained neutral.

Canada immediately declared war on Germany.

How did British and French Canadians differ in their feelings about enlisting in the war?

The British wanted to support Britain, while the French were less enthusiastic. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Germany’s “blank cheque” play in the escalation of World War I?

It reassured Austria-Hungary of German support against Russia. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of propaganda posters during World War One?

To spread a certain view and influence the audience's thoughts and actions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT one of the tricks of propaganda used in World War One?

Glorifying peace as a noble pursuit Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of Germany's Schlieffen Plan?

Belgian resistance delayed German advancement Signup and view all the answers

Which technological development led to the need for trench warfare?

The creation of the machine gun and exploding shells Signup and view all the answers

What were the dimensions of a typical trench during World War One?

2 meters depth and 1.5 meters wide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the conditions faced by soldiers in the trenches?

Characterized by cold, wet, and dirty environments with widespread disease Signup and view all the answers

How long were soldiers typically stationed on the front lines before rotating to a different line?

10 days Signup and view all the answers

Which disease was commonly associated with trench conditions?

Trench foot Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of Britain entering the war due to Germany's invasion?

It further slowed down the German advance into France Signup and view all the answers

The layout of trenches was designed in zigzags primarily for what reason?

To make it harder for enemies to target all soldiers at once Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes of WWI

Alliances: Europe was divided into two major alliances before WWI. The Triple Entente (also known as the Allies) comprised Britain, France, and Russia. The Triple Alliance (also known as the Central Powers) consisted of Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary.
Five Main Causes of WWI: The outbreak of WWI can be attributed to a combination of factors known by the acronym MANIA:
- Militarism: A build-up of military strength and an emphasis on military preparedness.
- Alliances: The complex web of alliances meant that a conflict between two nations could quickly escalate into a larger war.
- Nationalism: Strong feelings of national pride and the desire for independence or dominance.
- Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources across the globe.
- Assassination: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in 1914 was the immediate trigger for the war.
Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum to Serbia:
- Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and issued a harsh ultimatum demanding:
  - Serbia stop all nationalist hatred against Austria-Hungary
  - Serbia punish those involved in the assassination plot
  - Serbia allow Austro-Hungarian officials into Serbia to investigate.
- Serbia agreed to the first two demands, but not the third.
- Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Escalation of War:
- Austria-Hungary feared Russian retaliation (due to Russia's alliance with Serbia) and turned to Germany for support.
- Germany gave Austria-Hungary a "blank cheque" - unlimited support.
- After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized against Germany and Austria-Hungary.
- Germany declared war on Russia, triggering a chain reaction that drew in all the allies.
Canada's Entry into the War:
- On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, automatically bringing Canada into the war.

Canada Enters the War

Division Within Canada: Canada was divided on whether to send troops to war. British-Canadians were eager to support Britain, while French-Canadians, many of whom were 4th, 5th, or 6th generation Canadians, felt less connected to the conflict.
Initial Strength: Canada had a pre-war army of approximately 60,000 soldiers.
Purpose of Propaganda Posters: Propaganda posters
- Used to justify their involvement in the war to their own citizens.
- To recruit men for the military.
- To raise money and resources to sustain the war effort.
Five Tricks of Propaganda:
- Appealing to national pride and patriotism.
- Vilifying the enemy to generate hatred.
- Making those who did not enlist feel like cowards.
- Emphasizing masculinity and the bravery of soldiers.
- Glorifying war and presenting it as an adventure.

Life in the Trenches

The Schlieffen Plan: Germany's strategy to quickly defeat France by taking Paris. The plan failed because:
- The Belgian Army resisted the Germans, slowing their advance.
- Germany's invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the war.
Trench Warfare: The invention of the machine gun and exploding shells made it essential for soldiers to seek protection. This led to the creation of trenches across the Western Front, which stretched from Switzerland to the English Channel.
- In some areas, enemy lines were only 25 meters apart.
Trench Construction:
- Trenches were typically 2 meters deep and 1.5 meters wide.
- They were laid out in zigzags to hinder enemy fire.
Life in the Trenches:
- Harsh, wet weather could flood the trenches.
- Constant cold, damp, and filthy conditions.
- Spread of diseases like trench foot and trench mouth.
- Mental stress led to shell shock.
- Helmets were introduced in 1916 to reduce head injuries.
- Food was canned or preserved.
- Soldiers rotated between front-line trenches and the rear, receiving 10 days of leave for every 15 months of service.

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Description

Explore the key factors that led to the outbreak of World War I. This quiz covers the complex alliances, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, and the pivotal assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Test your knowledge on how these elements interacted to create one of the deadliest conflicts in history.