WWI Notecards

Causes of WWI  Militarism  Alliance System  Imperialism  Nationalism  Militarism  Alliance System  Imperialism  Nationalism

Militarism  Build up of military in an effort to prepare for war. Done by countries before WWI for protection and competition.  Led to many new technologies…machine guns, tanks, artillery shells, canons, planes and zeppelins, etc.  Build up of military in an effort to prepare for war. Done by countries before WWI for protection and competition.  Led to many new technologies…machine guns, tanks, artillery shells, canons, planes and zeppelins, etc.

Alliance System  Cause of WWI that dragged everyone into the war because of the alliances that they had.  2 Alliances at that time were Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia)  Cause of WWI that dragged everyone into the war because of the alliances that they had.  2 Alliances at that time were Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia)

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand  Event that sparked the start of WWI.  The Archduke was assassinated by a Serb while he was in Bosnia.  Serbia was trying to help Bosnia win their independence from Austria- Hungary  Event that sparked the start of WWI.  The Archduke was assassinated by a Serb while he was in Bosnia.  Serbia was trying to help Bosnia win their independence from Austria- Hungary

Trench Warfare  Fighting that is characterized by two sides digging trenches and hiding out in them for protection.  This was done for protection because soldiers did not know how to protect themselves from the new technologies developed in WWI.  Fighting that is characterized by two sides digging trenches and hiding out in them for protection.  This was done for protection because soldiers did not know how to protect themselves from the new technologies developed in WWI.

Mustard Gas  Poison gas was used by both sides in WWI. It had to be used carefully so as to not poison your own troops.  It was the worst of all the gasses. Attacked the bronchial tubes, left blisters on the inside and outside of the body, caused many other medical problems in those that were attacked.  Poison gas was used by both sides in WWI. It had to be used carefully so as to not poison your own troops.  It was the worst of all the gasses. Attacked the bronchial tubes, left blisters on the inside and outside of the body, caused many other medical problems in those that were attacked.

Big Bertha  Large Cannon that was built by the Germans. It could shoot a 1000 lbs. cannon 75 miles.  This changed the way war was fought because now soldiers were fighting enemies that they could not see.  Large Cannon that was built by the Germans. It could shoot a 1000 lbs. cannon 75 miles.  This changed the way war was fought because now soldiers were fighting enemies that they could not see.

Zeppelins  Large blimps that dropped bombs during WWI.  They were effective but dangerous because they were filled with Hydrogen and were extremely flammable.  Large blimps that dropped bombs during WWI.  They were effective but dangerous because they were filled with Hydrogen and were extremely flammable.

No Man’s Land  Area between enemy trenches that was extremely deadly.  Included barbed wire, craters from bombs, dead bodies, land mines, and other dangers.  Area between enemy trenches that was extremely deadly.  Included barbed wire, craters from bombs, dead bodies, land mines, and other dangers.

Schleiffen Plan  Germany’s plan to attack France in the West first and then to deal with Russia.  Germany has to decide whether to split their army or to fight one group first. Knew that Russia was not ready to fight and thought they could defeat the French quickly.  Germany’s plan to attack France in the West first and then to deal with Russia.  Germany has to decide whether to split their army or to fight one group first. Knew that Russia was not ready to fight and thought they could defeat the French quickly.

Blockade  When one country prevents goods from entering or leaving another country as a way to protest their actions.  Great Britain placed a blockade on Germany as a way to protest their actions in WWI. Germans began to starve to death by the thousands because they couldn’t get food into their country.  When one country prevents goods from entering or leaving another country as a way to protest their actions.  Great Britain placed a blockade on Germany as a way to protest their actions in WWI. Germans began to starve to death by the thousands because they couldn’t get food into their country.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare  The German policy of attacking and sinking all Allied ships during WWI.  Germans did this to protest the British blockade. They sunk military ships at first and then began to attack civilian ships.  The German policy of attacking and sinking all Allied ships during WWI.  Germans did this to protest the British blockade. They sunk military ships at first and then began to attack civilian ships.

Convoy System  Tactic used by the Allies in WWI to protect ships from U-boat attacks as they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean.  Ships would travel in formation led by destroyers to take out U-boats. Worked very well and Allies were able to destroy many U-Boats  Tactic used by the Allies in WWI to protect ships from U-boat attacks as they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean.  Ships would travel in formation led by destroyers to take out U-boats. Worked very well and Allies were able to destroy many U-Boats

Lusitania  British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915 killing 126 Americans.  Enraged the US and they demanded that Germany stop their USW. (it may have been carrying military supplies!)  British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915 killing 126 Americans.  Enraged the US and they demanded that Germany stop their USW. (it may have been carrying military supplies!)

Zimmermann Note  Note that was given to Mexico from Germany asking for their help in WWI in exchange, Germany would help them win land from the US.  Drives the US to war because they realize it is unavoidable.  Note that was given to Mexico from Germany asking for their help in WWI in exchange, Germany would help them win land from the US.  Drives the US to war because they realize it is unavoidable.

Selective Service Act  Act passed by Congress which required all males over 18 to register for the draft.  Used to draft men to go fight in WWI for the United States. Today men are still required to register. Harsh penalties if you do not.  Act passed by Congress which required all males over 18 to register for the draft.  Used to draft men to go fight in WWI for the United States. Today men are still required to register. Harsh penalties if you do not.

Dough Boys  American troops who went to fight in WWI. Got their name because they wore white belts which they cleaned with a dough like substance.  The US troops that entered the war were young and fresh and helped push the Allies to victory. Led by John J. Pershing.  American troops who went to fight in WWI. Got their name because they wore white belts which they cleaned with a dough like substance.  The US troops that entered the war were young and fresh and helped push the Allies to victory. Led by John J. Pershing.

14 Points/League of Nations  Written by President Woodrow Wilson after WWI as a solution to solve the problems of the war.  Most important thing that they did was lay the foundation of the League of Nations which was created after WWI to allow countries to avoid war in the future.  Written by President Woodrow Wilson after WWI as a solution to solve the problems of the war.  Most important thing that they did was lay the foundation of the League of Nations which was created after WWI to allow countries to avoid war in the future.

War-Guilt Clause  Clause in the Treaty of Versailles that forced Germany to accept full responsibility for the war.  Made them angry and resentful and was one fact that led to WWII.  Clause in the Treaty of Versailles that forced Germany to accept full responsibility for the war.  Made them angry and resentful and was one fact that led to WWII.

Treaty of Versailles  Treaty that ended WWI. Signed by the Allies at the Palace at Versailles in France.  Largely mistreated the Germans.  Forced them to give up their land.  Stripped their military.  Charged them $33 million in reparations.  War-Guilt Clause.  Treaty that ended WWI. Signed by the Allies at the Palace at Versailles in France.  Largely mistreated the Germans.  Forced them to give up their land.  Stripped their military.  Charged them $33 million in reparations.  War-Guilt Clause.