WWI Terms Flashcards

Study Notes

Key WWI Terms

Imperialism: Competition among European nations for colonies in Africa and Asia fueled tensions and jealousy among powers.
Nationalism: A strong sense of pride in one's country led to competition for land and power, causing nations to form alliances and build militaries.
Militarism: European countries significantly expanded their military capabilities, including infantry and navy. This arms buildup heightened suspicions and readiness for war.
Triple Alliance: The alliance formed pre-WWI between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy; viewed as provocative in the build-up to the conflict.
Triple Entente: The alliance among France, Russia, and Great Britain that emerged as a counterbalance to the Triple Alliance and escalated tensions in Europe.
Russo-Japanese War: The 1904-1905 conflict where Russia faced defeat against Japan, resulting in weakened Russian power and a search for allies, notably France.
Dreadnought: A revolutionary British battleship that transformed naval warfare, intensifying the naval arms race, particularly between Germany and Britain.
Dual Alliance: The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, representing an early collaboration that created mutual distrust among European nations.
Dual Entente: The alliance formed between France and Russia, which laid the groundwork for the Triple Entente by countering Germany's influence.
Entente Cordiale: The agreement between Britain and France that consolidated their relations in the face of growing German power.
Splendid Isolation: Britain's policy of avoiding foreign conflicts in the 1800s, which became unsustainable as Europe’s power dynamics changed.
Blank Check: An assurance of support from one country to another in cases of conflict. This occurred pre-WWI between Germany and Austria-Hungary, and France's support for Russia.
Moroccan Crisis I: A German attempt to provoke France by encouraging rebellion in Morocco, which solidified the Franco-British alliance in response.
Balkan Wars: Conflicts within the Balkans over Serbian independence from Austria-Hungary heightened regional tensions and contributed to the WWI outbreak.
The Black Hand: A Serbian nationalist group that assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering a series of events leading to the outbreak of WWI.
Schlieffen Plan: Germany's military strategy anticipating a quick victory over France before turning to Russia, which ultimately failed and led to a prolonged conflict.
Willy-Nicky Telegrams: Correspondence between German Kaiser Wilhelm II and Russian Tsar Nicholas II aimed at de-escalating tensions, later undermined by escalating military actions.