World War I Flashcards

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.