Causes of World War 1 PDF

Causes of World War I 1.​ What was the political situation in the Balkans leading up to World War I, and why was the region called the "powder keg of Europe"? a.​ The Balkans (terrorist groups) had a lot of ethnic groups fighting for independence. It was called the "...

Causes of World War I 1.​ What was the political situation in the Balkans leading up to World War I, and why was the region called the "powder keg of Europe"? a.​ The Balkans (terrorist groups) had a lot of ethnic groups fighting for independence. It was called the "powder keg" because small conflicts there could quickly turn into a big war. 2.​ What were Austria-Hungary's main goals in the Balkans before the war? a.​ Austria-Hungary wanted to stop independence movements and keep control of their empire. They were worried Serbia would inspire other groups to rebel. 3.​ How did Pan-Slavism influence Russia’s actions before World War I? a.​ Pan-Slavism was the idea that all Slavic people should unite, and Russia saw itself as their leader. Russia helped Serbia and other Slavic countries against Austria-Hungary. 4.​ What was Germany’s approach to imperialism, and how was it different from Britain's and France’s? a.​ Germany wanted more colonies, especially in Africa, and challenged Britain and France, who already had big empires. This caused tensions. 5.​ How did militarism lead to tension in Europe before World War I? a.​ Militarism meant countries were building up their armies and weapons. It made war seem likely because everyone was ready to fight. 6.​ What role did alliances like the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance play in starting the war? a.​ Alliances split Europe into two sides: b.​ Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia): known as “the allies” c.​ Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy): known as the “central powers” d.​ This turned small conflicts into a big war. 7.​ Why was the July Crisis of 1914 important? a.​ The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started a chain of events. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia, and other countries got involved through alliances. b.​ June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. 8.​ What was the "blank cheque" that Germany gave to Austria-Hungary? a.​ Germany promised to support Austria-Hungary no matter what. This made Austria act more aggressively toward Serbia, leading to war. b.​ issued on July 5, 1914 9.​ Why did Austria’s ultimatum to Serbia lead to war? a.​ Austria made demands they knew Serbia couldn’t fully agree to. When Serbia didn’t meet all the demands, Austria declared war. 10.​What was the two-power standard? a.​ The Royal Navy should be equal to or greater in strength/size than the next two largest navies. At the time these were assumed to be France and Russia, with the  United States as a future possibility. Canada’s Role in World War I 10.​ Why was Canada automatically at war when Britain declared war on Germany? a.​ As part of the British Empire, Canada was obligated to join the war when Britain did. b.​ August 4, 1914 11.​ What were the initial feelings of excitement and adventure among Canadian soldiers at the outbreak of the war? a.​ Many Canadians viewed the war as an exciting adventure and an opportunity to prove themselves. They believed it would be over by Christmas. 12.​ What was the significance of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the war? a.​ The CEF represented Canada’s contribution to the British war effort, with Canadian troops fighting in major battles and earning a reputation for bravery and effectiveness. 13.​ Who was the prime minister at the time? a.​ Robot Borden 14.​ What did Canada contribute? a.​ 25000 men trained 15.​ How did Canada’s economy and resources support the British war effort? a.​ Canada provided essential resources such as food, munitions, and troops, becoming an important supplier to Britain and its allies. 16.​ What role did the Newfoundland Regiment play in the war? a.​ The Newfoundland Regiment suffered heavy losses at Beaumont-Hamel, symbolizing the sacrifice and bravery of Canadian troops during the war. 17.​ Who was Former Minister of Militia and Defence of Canada? a.​ Sam Hughes War in Europe 15.​ What was the purpose of the Schlieffen Plan, and how did its failure impact the course of the war? a.​ The Schlieffen Plan aimed to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium to get to France before turning to fight Russia. Its failure led to a prolonged stalemate and trench warfare. b.​ The Battle of Verdun 16.​ Why did trench warfare become a defining feature of the Western Front? a.​ Defensive technologies like machine guns and barbed wire made it difficult to advance, forcing armies to dig trenches for protection. 17.​ Describe the living conditions of soldiers in the trenches and the physical and psychological challenges they faced. a.​ Soldiers endured mud, disease, rats, lice, and constant shellfire. Trench foot.  Freezing 24/7 in the trenches. hey also suffered from psychological conditions like shell shock due to the relentless stress of trench warfare. 18.​ What was the significance of major battles such as: a.​ The Battle of Ypres (1915): Marked the first use of poison gas by Germany and tested Canadian troops’ resolve. b.​ The Battle of the Somme (1916): Known for its massive casualties and limited territorial gains, highlighting the futility of trench warfare. i.​ July 1- nov 18 1916, tried to end trench warfare ii.​ Largest battle (British Empire) iii.​ Tanks for the first time iv.​ Lasted a week v.​ Failure: artillery too week, ladmine too early, weather was bad c.​ The Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917): A major Canadian victory that demonstrated tactical innovation and boosted Canada’s national identity. i.​ Oct 1917, allies have been bombing the ridge for 3 weeks to weaken german defences d.​ The Battle of Passchendaele (1917): A Canadian victory fought in brutal conditions, highlighting sacrifice and Canada’s growing military reputation. e.​ The battle lasted from July 31 to November 10, 1917 in Passchendaele, Belgium. f.​ The battle was significant due to its severe weather conditions. The conditions were extremely muddy making people drown in the mud, and the artillery shells clogged the city’s drainage system g.​ An extraordinary amount of casualites for a tiny victory h.​ Showed cost of war i.​ Recognized canada as one of the best offending nations in the western front. 20. How did the Battle of Vimy Ridge contribute to Canada’s national identity? j.​ Canadian troops’ success at Vimy Ridge symbolized their emergence as a capable and independent fighting force. 19.​ What was the outcome of the Eastern Front for Russia between 1914 and 1916? a.​ Russia suffered significant defeats against Germany, leading to massive casualties and internal unrest that contributed to the Russian Revolution. Technological Advancements and Warfare 21.​ How did poison gas change the nature of warfare, and what were the risks for soldiers using it? a.​ Poison gas caused horrific injuries and panic, but shifting winds could endanger the users themselves. 22.​ What was the importance of tanks on the battlefield during the later stages of the war? a.​ Tanks were introduced to break through enemy lines, but their early models were slow and unreliable.  23.​ How were airplanes first used in warfare, and how did their role evolve by the end of the war? a.​ Initially used for reconnaissance, airplanes were later equipped with weapons for dogfights and bombing missions. 24.​ What role did submarines (U-boats) play in naval warfare, particularly for Germany? a.​ U-boats disrupted Allied supply lines by sinking merchant ships, prompting the use of convoys for protection. The Home Front in Canada 25.​ How did the introduction of the Military Service Act (1917) divide Canadian society? a.​ The act mandated conscription, leading to tensions between English and French Canadians. The French were opposed to going to war. 26.​ What forms of propaganda were used during World War I, and how did they influence public opinion in Canada? a.​ Posters and censorship were used to encourage enlistment and maintain support for the war. 27.​ How did Canadian women contribute to the war effort on the home front? a.​ Women worked in factories, produced munitions, and raised funds for the war effort. 28.​ Why were food rationing and price controls necessary during the war? a.​ To ensure sufficient supplies for soldiers and prevent shortages. 29.​ How did the war impact French-English relations in Canada? a.​ Conscription and cultural differences deepened the divide between English and French Canadians. End of the War 30.​What were the main factors that led to the end of World War I in 1918? a.​ Allied offensives, German exhaustion, and internal unrest forced Germany to seek an armistice. b.​ Ended on nov 11 31.​ What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and how did they aim to punish Germany? a.​ Germany had to accept full blame for the war, pay reparations, and surrender territory. b.​ When was it signed: Signed on June 28, 1919 32.​ Why was the "War Guilt Clause" included in the Treaty of Versailles, and how did it affect Germany’s perception of the treaty? a.​ It held Germany responsible for the war, fostering resentment and a sense of injustice. 33.​ Failures of the treaty of versailles: a.​ There were some ethnic groups left without any homeland b.​ There was still strong nationalism which could potentially start another war  c.​ Germany got crippled as a result of the consequences for the war d.​ Germany attempted revenge e.​ Adolf hitler uses the aspect of the treaty that states that germany will pay extreme penalties for “starting” the war, to appeal to the german people to help him overthrow the german government, which would then be one of the main causes of ww2. 34.​ How did the end of the war lead to the creation of the League of Nations? a.​ The League was established to prevent future conflicts and promote international cooperation. 35.​ What were the territorial changes? a.​ Which countries gained independence from Russia? i.​ Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania b.​ Which countries were created as a result of the war? i.​ Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia America in the war When did the US join the war? a.​ April 1917 - The US declared war on Germany. Why did the USA enter the war? a.​ The 1915 sinking of Louisiana b.​ In February 1917, the Germans decided to implement unrestricted submarine warfare. This made the American ships targets. c.​ Germany was encouraging Mexico to attack the USA through telegrams. Britain then intercepted the telegram, and told the USA of the scheme. Britain did this as they were certain this would prompt the USA to join the war, and also give the Allies an advantage. Canada's 100 days What is Canada’s 100 days? a.​ The Allied effort that finally broke the back of the Germans military b.​ The last 100 days of the war, Canadian troops were in the forefront of the most difficult tasks of dislodging the Germans for their defensive positions. The fourteen points -​ Document released by president woodrow wilson that was made to convince the americans that the sacrifices were justified. -​ This was brought to paris so that the europeans can view this and hopefully lead to peace.  -​ There were two catagories for these points -​ Group 1: points 1-5: internationalism, and how the countries should work together and set aside nationalism and allow ethnic groups to form countries -​ Group 2: points 6-8: right of way in which german land would be dealt -​ Points 9-14: talks bout ethnic desires of people living in central and eastern europe. Realism vs Idealism -​ There were different ideas on how germany should face consequences for the war, and there were two main ones being realism and idealism. -​ Realism: believed that germany cannot go into war again, and should have very harsh consequences. -​ Idealism: believed that if the punishments would be too harsh germany would attempt to get revenge. -​ Woodrow wilson, president of the united states, was an idealist, and prime minister of france, georges clemenceau was a realist. David lloyd, britains chancellor, represented both camps of france and fell in between 1. Entry into World War I (August 4, 1914) When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, Canada was automatically at war due to its status as a Dominion within the British Empire. However, Canada had control over how it participated, marking an important distinction in its autonomy. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Robert Borden, decided to send its own military force, known as the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), rather than simply integrating troops into British units. This independent mobilization reflected growing national confidence. 2. Military Contributions Canadian forces earned a reputation for effectiveness in battles such as Vimy Ridge (April 1917), which was seen as a defining moment in Canadian identity. The battle demonstrated Canada’s military capabilities and fostered a sense of national pride. The Canadian Corps operated with increasing independence under Canadian commanders like Sir Arthur Currie, further showcasing Canada’s distinct contributions to the war effort. 3. Domestic Changes The war effort led to significant political and social changes in Canada. The introduction of the War Measures Act in 1914 granted the federal government extraordinary powers, demonstrating Canada’s capacity to govern itself in times of crisis. Conscription was introduced in 1917, sparking the divisive Conscription Crisis. This highlighted tensions between English and French Canadians but also demonstrated Canada’s ability to manage its own internal affairs. 4. Increased International Recognition Canada’s contributions to the war earned it a seat at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, where Prime Minister Borden insisted on separate representation for Canada rather than being included under the British delegation. This was a major milestone in Canada’s autonomy. Canada was also a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles on January 10, 1920, in its own right, marking its first formal act as an independent entity on the world stage. 5. The League of Nations Canada joined the League of Nations as an independent member in 1920, further solidifying its position as a nation with growing autonomy from Britain. -​ The assassination of Franz Ferdinand happened on June 28, 1914. He was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand. This was the cause of many conflicts between Austria-Hungary -​ The Great War would have still happened even without the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.