Causes of World War I
What were the 3 main causes of WWI?
Nationalism, militarism, and a system of alliances
What was Serbia's objective in the Balkans?
Serbia aimed to create a large, independent Slavic state
In August 1914, most people expected the war to be a prolonged conflict. TRUE OR FALSE?
False. In August 1914, there was a widespread belief that the war would be over in a few weeks.
What were the "elaborate systems of defense" created on the Western Front of the war?
Trenches
What happened in April, 1915?
The Allies tried to open a Balkan front by landing forces at Gallipoli, southwest of Constantinople, in April 1915.
Which countries formed the Triple Alliance in 1882?
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
Who was Archduke Francis Ferdinand, and what happened to him in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914?
Archduke Francis Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary; he was assassinated in Sarajevo.
Government propaganda had no role in fueling nationalistic sentiments before World War I. TRUE OR FALSE?
False. Government propaganda played a significant role in stirring national hatreds before the war.
No-man's-land
What occurred in 1918?
British forces from Egypt mobilized troops from India, Australia, and New Zealand and destroyed the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.
Which countries created the Triple Entente in 1907?
France, Great Britain, and Russia
What organization did Gavrilo Princip belong to, and what were their goals for Bosnia?
Gavrilo Princip belonged to the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist organization; they wanted Bosnia to be free of Austria-Hungary.
The Schlieffen Plan aimed for a German encircling movement through Belgium. TRUE OR FALSE?
True. The Schlieffen Plan involved a vast encircling movement through Belgium into northern France.
How did the high command on either side of the war sometimes begin an offensive?
They would begin with an artillery barrage to flatten the enemy’s barbed wire and leave the enemy in a state of shock
What event happened on May 7, 1915?
German forces sank the British ship Lusitania
Where were the countries of the Triple Entente located in relation to the countries of the Triple Alliance?
Francde and Great Britain were to the West and Russia was to the East of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
What was the "blank check" given by Emperor William II of Germany to Austria-Hungary?
The "blank check" was Germany's full support if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
Trench warfare on the Western Front persisted for only a few months. TRUE OR FALSE?
False. Trench warfare on the Western Front persisted for four years.
At Verdun, France, how many men lost their lives over a few miles of land in 1916?
700,000
What occurred on May 13, 1915?
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sent the first of four notes to Germany to protest the German violation of American neutrality
What made it unlikely that World War I battles would be fought in Great Britain?
The geographic factor that made it unlikely that World War I battles would be fought in Great Britain is the English Channel, which separates Great Britain from the rest of Europe.
How did Germany react to Russia's mobilization, and what military plan did they follow?
Germany declared war on Russia; they followed the Schlieffen Plan, involving a two-front war with France and Russia.
Italy remained neutral during World War I. TRUE OR FALSE?
False. Italy joined the Allies in 1915, betraying its Triple Alliance partners, Germany and Austria-Hungary.
State 3 ways in which airplanes were used in World War I.
Planes were first used to spot the enemy’s position.
Planes also began to attack ground targets, especially enemy communications.
Pilots fired at each other with handheld pistols.
Machine guns were mounted on the noses of planes
What took place in September, 1915?
The German government suspended unrestricted submarine warfare in September 1915 to avoid antagonizing the United States further.