WWI Causes Flashcards - Chapter 14

WWI Background and Causes

• The Balkans were referred to as the "powder keg of Europe," highlighting their role in igniting WWI.
• MAIN is an acronym representing the key causes of WWI: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

Outbreak of WWI

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination by Gavrilo Princip spurred Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, leading to wider conflict.
• Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia marked a critical escalation in tensions.

Key Figures and Groups

• Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne; his assassination in Sarajevo triggered the war.
• The Black Hand was a Serbian nationalist group responsible for Ferdinand's assassination.

Alliances and Powers

• The Allies included France, Britain, Russia, Italy, the US, Romania, and Serbia; the Central Powers consisted of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.
• Britain's extensive naval power was essential for protecting its overseas empire before the war began.

Nationalism and Tensions

• Nationalism fueled conflict: Germany took pride in military strength, France sought revenge for past defeats, and Russia promoted Pan-Slavism.
• Serbia's aspirations were threatened by both the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary.

Military Strategies

• The Schlieffen Plan aimed to prevent a two-front war by attacking France first, assuming Russia would mobilize slowly.
• The plan failed due to rapid Russian mobilization and strong Allied resistance at the First Battle of the Marne.

Warfare Dynamics

• The Western Front saw trench warfare, characterized by a stalemate where neither side could achieve decisive victory.
• New technologies: machine guns increased casualties, artillery devastated troops, poison gas was used for chemical warfare, and U-boats targeted shipping.

Total War Concept

• Total war involves mobilizing all national resources for war efforts, impacting civilian life and economies.

Naval Strategies

• Convoys, groups of merchant ships protected by warships, were essential for safeguarding supplies.
• Britain's blockade of Germany aimed to undermine German supplies and resources.

Involvement of the Ottoman Empire

• The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers through the Turco-German Alliance in 1914, entering the war following attacks on Russian ports.

Comparison of Fronts

• The Western Front was dominated by trench warfare, while the Eastern Front was larger and more fluid, lacking extensive trench systems.

Colonial Involvement

• Colonial subjects joined the war with hopes of gaining independence from imperial powers.

Key Battles and Events

• The Battle of Gallipoli aimed to open a supply line to Russia, but ended in withdrawal after six months.
• The Zimmerman Note proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the US, contributing to American entry into the war.

Aftermath and Peace Treaties

• Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany led to tensions with neutral nations, particularly the US.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations on Germany, limited its military, returned territories to France, and included the "war-guilt clause" (Article 231).

Post-War Europe

• Mandates were territories administered by Western powers, causing future conflicts in the Middle East.
• Overlapping territorial claims threatened postwar peace, leading to lasting disputes.

Conclusion of the War

• WWI officially ended on November 11, 1918.
• Many fighters hoped their service would result in respect and independence for their nations.

Test your knowledge on the key causes of World War I with these flashcards from Chapter 14. Dive into concepts like militarism, alliances, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Perfect for students looking to master crucial historical themes.