World War I Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Why was World War I called the 'Great War'?

It was called a Great War because of the large scale of fighting.

Who was assassinated on June 28, 1914 and by what person/group?

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Serbian nationalists.

How did Austria-Hungary respond to the assassination?

They responded by sending an ultimatum to the Serbian government.

How/why did other countries join the war?

Countries like Germany got involved as Austria wanted to ally with them. Signup and view all the answers

Define militarism.

It celebrates war and the armed forces. Signup and view all the answers

How was the Industrial Revolution involved?

The Industrial Revolution allowed for mass production of weapons and supplies. Signup and view all the answers

Define secret alliances.

Groups of nations whose members secretly agreed to protect and help each other. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Triple Entente/Allies members?

The members were Britain, France, and Russia. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Triple Alliance/Central Powers members?

They were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Signup and view all the answers

How did countries view the accumulation of colonies?

Each country wanted their own set of colonies. Signup and view all the answers

How did imperialism cause tension in Europe?

It caused tension by leading countries to fight over land possession. Signup and view all the answers

Define nationalism.

It is the feeling of pride in one's national identity. Signup and view all the answers

How did nationalism impact the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires?

It prevented them from unifying and resulted in power movements. Signup and view all the answers

What is self-determination?

It is the idea that people of the same ethnicity should unite and form independent nations. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how 'virtually every major event during the remainder of the 20th century was a direct or indirect result of WWI.'

WWI marked the end of a period of stability and led to changes in monarchies and perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

Why was World War I the deadliest war to that point?

It was due to the new technology available. Signup and view all the answers

What was conscription, and how did that relate to 'Pals Battalions' in Britain?

Conscription was compulsory enlistment in the armed forces; Pals Battalions recruited voluntarily. Signup and view all the answers

How did people view the war at first? How does their perception change over time?

Initially, people saw war as easy and quick until they experienced its dangers. Signup and view all the answers

Why were trenches built?

They were built to defend against enemy fire. Signup and view all the answers

What were the conditions in trenches?

The conditions were cold, muddy, and rat-infested. Signup and view all the answers

How was poison gas used?

It was used to attack enemies, causing severe pain and fatal effects. Signup and view all the answers

Why was gas outlawed from wars?

They were outlawed due to their long-lasting effects on people. Signup and view all the answers

How did machine guns make fighting different?

Machine guns made fighting much deadlier and harder to gain territory. Signup and view all the answers

How/what were submarines used for?

They were used for destroying and disrupting shipping lanes. Signup and view all the answers

How/what were airplanes used for?

Initially for reconnaissance, later fitted with machine guns for combat. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

World War I Overview

Known as the "Great War" due to the extensive scale and global involvement.
Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, by Serbian nationalists.

Austria-Hungary's Response

Issued an ultimatum to Serbia demanding the cessation of anti-Austrian activities, which Serbia ultimately denied.

Involvement of Other Countries

Austria-Hungary's alliance with Germany drew other nations into conflict, leading to a broader war through cascading declarations of war.

Key Concepts of War

Militarism: The celebration and glorification of military power and war.
Industrial Revolution: Enabled mass production of weapons and supplies, fundamentally changing warfare logistics.

Political Alliances

Secret Alliances: Nations formed confidential agreements to support one another without other countries' knowledge.
Triple Entente (Allies): Comprised Britain, France, and Russia.
Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and initially Italy.

Colonialism and Tensions

European nations fiercely competed for colonies, leading to heightened tensions and conflicts over territorial claims.
Imperialism: Fueled disputes as countries vied for dominance over colonial possessions.

Nationalism

Defined as a strong pride in one’s nation, impacting multi-ethnic empires like the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, leading to fragmentation and political movements.
Self-determination: The principle advocating that ethnic groups should unite and form independent nations.

Impact of WWI

Considered the catalyst for nearly all significant 20th-century events, resulting in the collapse of monarchies and shifts in societal perspectives.

War Casualties and Technology

Recognized as the deadliest war of its time, largely due to advancements in weaponry and technology.
Conscription: Mandatory military service introduced in Britain, leading to the formation of "Pals Battalions" where friends enlisted together.

Perception of War

Initially viewed as a quick and glorious endeavor, the brutal realities of trench warfare changed public sentiment to one of horror and despair.

Trench Warfare

Trenches were constructed to protect soldiers from enemy fire.
Living conditions were dire; cold, muddy, and rife with disease and infestations.

Chemical Warfare

Poison gas emerged as a horrific weapon, inflicting severe pain and debilitating effects on soldiers, leading to its prohibition post-war.

Advances in Warfare Technology

Machine Guns: Increased lethality of battle, complicating the acquisition of territory.
Submarines: Deployed to disrupt enemy shipping through stealth attacks.
Airplanes: Initially for reconnaissance; later equipped with weapons for direct combat.

Long-term Consequences

The war's lasting effects reshaped global politics, military strategies, and social structures across nations.

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Description

Test your knowledge on pivotal events and figures of World War I with these flashcards. From the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the reasons behind its nickname as the 'Great War', this quiz covers key historical concepts. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone interested in history.