Questions and Answers
What were the four main causes of World War I?
What is nationalism?
Displaying pride in one's country.
What two European nations formed as a result of nationalism?
Italy and Germany in the 1870s.
Why would citizens from Bosnia not like the leaders of Austria-Hungary?
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Why did Russia support the pan-Slavic movement?
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Why were the Balkans called the powder keg of Europe?
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How did nationalism cause World War I?
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What is imperialism?
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What countries were involved in imperialism?
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How could Germany increase the size of its empire?
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How did imperialism cause World War I?
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What is an alliance?
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What were the two major prewar alliances?
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What countries were members of the Triple Alliance?
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What countries were members of the Triple Entente?
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How did alliances cause World War I?
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What is militarism?
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What were the three reasons European nations felt it was necessary to take part in an arms race?
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What is conscription?
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Why did many European armies feel that conscription was necessary?
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What new weapons were invented in World War I as a result of militarism?
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How did militarism cause World War I?
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What were the Central Powers?
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What were the Allied Powers?
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What are Soviets?
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What are Bolsheviks?
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What is propaganda?
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Who are civilians?
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What is trench warfare?
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What is a front?
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What is neutrality?
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What is an arms race?
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What is mobilization?
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What is an entente?
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What is the balance of power?
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Study Notes
Main Causes of World War I
- Four primary causes identified as militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.
Nationalism
- Characterized by strong pride and loyalty towards one's nation.
- Led to the unification of Italy and Germany in the 1870s.
- Citizens of Bosnia resented Austrian-Hungarian rulers wishing for independence.
Pan-Slavic Movement
- Supported by Russia to promote Slavic independence against Austria-Hungary.
Balkans as Power Keg
- Region known for its rich resources which contributed to tensions and conflicts leading up to the war.
Role of Nationalism in WWI
- Contributed by fostering a belief in national superiority and increasing ethnic tensions among various groups.
Imperialism
- Defined as the expansion of a nation's influence through diplomacy or military force.
- Countries involved included Britain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France.
- Germany sought increased empire size through the annexation of other nations.
- Fuelled competition and conflict for resources, making war inevitable.
Alliances
- Alliances meant mutual support among nations in times of war.
- Key prewar alliances included the Triple Alliance (Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).
- Created a divided Europe where powerful nations had to choose sides, heightening tensions.
Militarism
- A culture celebrating military power and strength among European nations.
- Three driving factors for an arms race: imperial ambitions, national defense, and alliance commitments.
- Conscription became a common practice, ensuring large military forces.
Technological Advancements in Warfare
- Innovation in weaponry included dreadnoughts, fighter planes, tanks, chemical weapons, machine guns, howitzers, zeppelins, and trench mortars.
Militarism's Impact on WWI
- Resulted in larger armies, an accelerated arms race, and military leaders exerting influence on government policy.
Alliances in WWI
- Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
- Allied Powers comprised France, Great Britain, Russia, and later the USA.
Other Key Concepts
- Civilians defined as non-military individuals affected by war dynamics.
- Trench warfare characterized combat in fortified ditches, representing a new military strategy.
- Neutrality indicated a stance of non-involvement in conflicts.
- Balance of power aimed for equal strength among nations to prevent dominance by one nation.
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Description
Explore the key factors that led to World War I through these flashcards. Learn about militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism, as well as the impact of these elements on European nations. Perfect for history enthusiasts or students preparing for exams.