World War I Study Guide: Review Questions

WORLD WAR I ERA UNIT STUDY GUIDE -------------------------------------------------- Review Questions--------------- The test will be a mix of multiple choice, free response, and fill in the blank. * What was the short-term cause of World War I (in 1914)? -The assassination of the Archduke Franz Fe...

WORLD WAR I ERA UNIT STUDY GUIDE -------------------------------------------------- Review Questions--------------- The test will be a mix of multiple choice, free response, and fill in the blank. * What was the short-term cause of World War I (in 1914)? -The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the heir to the Austro-Hungary throne). * What were the four main (MAIN) long-term causes of World War I? - Militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism. * What is militarism? - To glorify and prepare for war. * How did militarism lead to World War I (three reasons)? - The European powers were in an arms race prior to WWIl; leaders were wary of protests and rebellions; conscription was normal in most of Europe so militaries were huge. * What are alliances (in the military)? - A mutual agreement to support another country in times of war. * How did alliances lead to World War I (three reasons)? - Alliances dragged other countries into a conflict that they otherwise would not have fought; Germany and France had fought the Franco- Prussian War in the 1870s and things were still tense so they sought protection; diplomacy was often done in secrecy. * What is imperialism? - When a stronger country completely dominate less foreign lands…a harsher form of colonialism. * How did imperialism lead to World War I (three reasons)? - Industrialized countries needed raw materials because of the Industrial Revolution; European powers ruled many colonies and needed strong militaries to rule them; the race to colonize Africa and other parts of the world led to rivalry. * What is nationalism? - Deep devotion to one’s nation, often including feelings of superiority over others. * How did nationalism lead to World War I (three reasons)? - Many ethnic groups in larger empires wanted independent countries of their own (“self-determination”); many felt their ethnic group was superior to others, blind devotion and commitment to a country can make people trust bad leaders. *What is Total War? -A war that is unrestricted in the weapons used and the sacrifices made to achieve victory. * What was the Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe) called “the powder keg of Europe” prior to WWI? - It was home to lots of different ethnicities, many of whom wanted independent countries of their own. * Why was the Ottoman Empire so vulnerable prior to WWI? - Backwards technologically and industrially; parts of the Empire in Eastern Europe (i.e. Greece, Serbia, etc.) had fought successful wars of independence in previous decades; more powerful countries surrounded it and looked to conquer its territory. * Why did the Ottomans enter the war? - They wanted lost land back and also called a jihad (Holy War) to unite all Muslims. * Overall, was Russia a leader in industry, wealth, science, technology, or was it behind most of Europe? * It was behind most of Europe in all these categories (i.e. “the lag”). * Why was Great Britain the #1 world power at the time of World War I’s start? - #1 global empire, huge industrial power (although less than the US and Germany by now), #1 navy. * What was the USA like at the start of WWI (Industry? Population? Wealth? Military?)? - It was a rising industrial power; had a large and booming immigrant population; its people had fairly high standard of living; weaker military than the European powers. * When and what single event caused the US to enter World War I? - The Zimmerman Telegram (1917). It was a secret message from Germany to Mexico, which asked Mexico to attack the US. In exchange, Germany would help Mexico win and get the land the lost to the USA back. Previously, American opinion was against Germany (more so after the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915) but was not at war. * What was Germany’s master plan at the start of the war? - To fight the war on one front only; go west through the Low Countries and take out France quickly. * Who were the major countries on the Central Powers’ side? - Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria. * Who were the major countries on the Allied Powers’ side? - France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, United States, Canada, Japan. * What was trench warfare like? - Two fortified trenches with “no man’s land” in the middle. Soldiers would rush “over the top” and try to conquer the enemy’s trench, often running straight into machine gun fire. * Which weapon in World War I was responsible for the most loss of life? - The machine gun. *What does it mean to fight a “war of attrition?” - To force the enemy into surrender by wearing them down over time. *What was the name of the psychological condition that WWI soldiers experienced that caused them great pain and suffering? - Shell shock * What “modern” weapons were used in WWI? - Machine guns, artillery, tanks, airplanes, battleships, submarines (U- boats), poisonous gases, land mines, zeppelins. *What was the name of the German strategy to relentlessly attack Allied shipping with their submarines? - Unrestricted submarine warfare. * How were airplanes used in the war? -Mostly to spy. Occasionally to drop crude bombs or dogfight (fight other planes). * What was the Treaty of Versailles (the agreement after the war) like for the losing countries? - It was very harsh on the losers. Germany lost land and had to pay for the war as punishment, Austria-Hungary dissolved into many new countries, the Ottoman Empire dissolved into mandates controlled by the Allies. * What was the “mandate” system after World War I ended? - New lands (particularly in the now-defunct Ottoman Empire) were split up and ruled by the Allies (Great Britain and France mostly) with the goal being that the Allies would “oversee” the areas until they were fit for self-rule. The mandate territories became new colonies in many ways. * What government was mostly discarded after WWI? - Monarchy (absolute monarchy). * What was the purpose of the League of Nations (two things)? - To forever end war by having a forum where all countries meet; and also to stamp to out any potential threats with diplomacy or a world- wide military force.