Causes
What were the four key causes of World War I?
militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism
What new technologies were introduced during World War I?
tanks and airplanes
What was the Triple Entente?
alliance between France, Russia, and Great Britain
What was the significance of the Lusitania during WWI?
sunk by German submarines, increasing U.S. tensions with Germany
How did the Russian Proletariat influence the Russian Revolution?
workers and peasants who demanded better rights and conditions
Which event sparked the beginning of World War I?
assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
How did militarism impact public perception of war during WWI?
portrayed war as heroic and honorable?
How did alliances contribute to the scale of WWI?
created a network of obligations that pulled multiple countries into the conflict
Who was Vladimir Lenin and what role did he play in WWI?
ed the Bolshevik Revolution and established a communist government in Russia
What is totalitarianism and how did it relate to the post-WWI era?
form of government where the state controls all aspects of life, seen in regimes like the Soviet Union
How did ethnic nationalism contribute to the start of World War I?
fueled aspirations for independence and caused conflicts in the Balkans
Describe the significance of the Battle of the Somme.
one of the largest battles with over one million casualties, marking a shift in warfare tactics
Name two countries that were part of the Central Powers.
Germany and Austria-Hungary
What was Bloody Sunday and its impact on Russian society?
a massacre of peaceful protesters that led to outrage and contributed to the Russian Revolution
What was the economic impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany?
led to significant economic hardship and contributed to the rise of extremism
What role did imperialism play in increasing tensions before WWI
led to competition for colonies and resources among European powers
What was the primary reason behind the arms race leading to WWI?
nations wanted to have stronger military power to defend their interests
Why did the alliances fail to prevent World War I?
created tensions and commitments that led to rapid escalation of conflict
Describe the Treaty of Versailles and its consequences for Germany.
ended WWI and placed full blame on Germany, causing economic hardship and resentment
How did ethnic nationalism continue to shape Europe after WWI?
resulted in ongoing conflicts and aspirations for national independence
Explain how militarism contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
created an arms race and glorified war, making countries ready for conflict
How did trench warfare change the nature of combat in WWI?
led to prolonged stalemates and horrific living conditions for soldiers
Describe the impact of the Zimmerman Telegram on the U.S. involvement in WWI.
proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the U.S., leading to public outrage and U.S. entry into the war
What were Wilson's Fourteen Points intended to achieve?
they aimed to establish a framework for global peace and cooperation after WWI
Discuss the long-term effects of World War I on global politics.
reshaped borders, created new nations, and set the stage for future conflicts like WWII