World War I Study Guide

Questions and Answers

How did nationalism contribute to WWI?

Nationalism led to competition among countries, militarism, and blinded people to what they had in common.

What is the term for the policy of glorifying power and keeping an army prepared for war?

militarism

What region was referred to as the 'powder keg' of Europe?

The Balkan Peninsula

Why was southeastern Europe known as the 'powder keg' of Europe in the early 1900s?

It had endured more than 400 years of ethnic and political conflict. Signup and view all the answers

One major reason for the tension between France and Germany before World War I was that

France wanted to regain lands previously seized by Germany. Signup and view all the answers

European diplomats hoped that Europe's system of alliances would create a balance of powers and decrease the likelihood of war. On the other hand, these alliances meant that

small disputes would develop into large-scale wars. Signup and view all the answers

Which countries made up the Triple Entente in 1907?

Great Britain, France, and Russia Signup and view all the answers

Why did the countries of the Triple Entente come together to form this alliance?

to respond to the increased military power of Germany Signup and view all the answers

Which countries made up the Triple Alliance in 1907?

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

The assassination of which leader led to the outbreak of World War I?

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Signup and view all the answers

"Serbia must learn to fear us again."

Spoken by a diplomat from Austria-Hungary Signup and view all the answers

Which nation was the first to declare war in WWI?

Austria-Hungary Signup and view all the answers

What did Russia, a largely Slavic nation, do after Austria-Hungary declared war on the Slavic nation of Serbia?

prepare to send troops to support Serbia Signup and view all the answers

Why did Germany have a geographic disadvantage at the start of World War I?

It was bordered by enemies on two fronts. Signup and view all the answers

Germany's Schlieffen Plan for military attack was to

engage both France in the West and Russia in the East at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

Great Britain's stated reason for declaring war on Germany in 1914 was the

German invasion of Belgium. Signup and view all the answers

The assassination of a prince leads to an ultimatum from Austria-Hungary to Serbia.

True Signup and view all the answers

The acronym 'MAIN' is a way of remembering what four root causes of WWI?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism Signup and view all the answers

World War I was a 'total war' in the sense that

the nations involved devoted all their resources to it. Signup and view all the answers

Why was World War I known as 'the war to end all wars'?

The suffering it caused made further war seem unimaginable. Signup and view all the answers

At the start of World War I, which nation was bordered by enemies on two fronts?

Germany Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne?

It stopped Germany from invading France. Signup and view all the answers

After the Battle of the Marne in 1914, German forces realized that victory

against the West could only be won through trench warfare. Signup and view all the answers

Trench warfare in World War I was characterized by

heavy casualties and little territorial gain. Signup and view all the answers

In November 2003, workers digging to build a highway near Ypres, Belgium, uncovered a network of shallow passages and found skeletons in World War I-era uniforms, newspapers, dishes and other items. The finding is most likely

a site of trench warfare. Signup and view all the answers

In World War I, why did battles on the Western Front result in little territorial gain?

Trench warfare made the movement of troops difficult. Signup and view all the answers

Why did most of the combat on the Western Front in World War I take place in a relatively small area?

The armies became immobile because of trench warfare. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nationalism and Militarism

Nationalism sparked competition among nations, fostering a sense of superiority and rivalry.
It contributed to militarism, prompting countries to build up their military forces.
Nationalistic fervor often overshadowed shared interests between rival nations.

"Powder Keg" of Europe

The Balkan Peninsula was termed the "powder keg" of Europe due to its history of ethnic and political tensions.
This region faced over 400 years of conflict, making it a volatile hotspot prior to WWI.

Pre-War Tensions

France's desire to reclaim territories lost to Germany heightened tensions between the two nations.
European alliances aimed to create a balance of power but often escalated minor disputes into major conflicts.

Key Alliances

The Triple Entente included Great Britain, France, and Russia, formed in response to Germany's rising military strength.
The Triple Alliance consisted of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy.

Assassination and Outbreak of War

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the catalyst for WWI.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, prompting Russia to mobilize in support of Serbia.

Germany’s Strategic Disadvantages

Germany faced a two-front war, bordered by enemies in the West (France) and East (Russia).
The Schlieffen Plan involved simultaneous engagement against France and Russia.

Britain’s Involvement

Great Britain's entry into war was triggered by Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium.

Key Events Leading to War

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia followed by declaration of war highlighted escalating tensions.
Germany's declaration of war on Russia was a critical turning point, influencing the involvement of other nations.

MAIN Causes of WWI

The acronym "MAIN" summarizes the root causes: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism.

Total War Concept

WWI was characterized as a "total war," where all national resources were committed to the war effort.
The immense suffering experienced led people to view it as "the war to end all wars."

Trench Warfare

Characterized by heavy casualties and minimal territorial changes, trench warfare defined the Western Front.
Battles resulted in stagnation, with armies immobile due to entrenched positions.
A network of trenches, discovered near Ypres, evidenced the harsh conditions soldiers faced during WWI.

Aftermath of the War

The Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne prevented a German invasion of France, marking a significant turning point.
Trench warfare limited troop movement and kept combat confined to relatively small areas on the Western Front.

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Description

This quiz serves as a comprehensive study guide on the causes and key concepts of World War I, including nationalism and militarism. Test your knowledge on how these elements contributed to the outbreak of the war and enhance your understanding of this pivotal historical event.