🏰The Great Powers & Road to War
Which six nations were considered the "Great Powers" of Europe before WWI?
Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy
What was the aim of the Schlieffen Plan?
To quickly defeat France, then fight Russia
What is trench warfare?
Soldiers lived and fought in deep, muddy ditches
What role did propaganda play on the Home Front?
It encouraged support for the war and demonized the enemy
Who were the "Big Three" at the peace talks?
Wilson (USA), Clemenceau (France), Lloyd George (Britain)
What was the naval arms race between Britain and Germany mainly about?
Building battleships, especially dreadnoughts
Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?
Belgium resisted; Russia mobilized quickly; Britain joined in
Name two new technologies that changed warfare during WWI.
Poison gas and tanks
Who were conscientious objectors and how were they treated?
Men who refused to fight; some were jailed or shamed
What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany had to accept blame, pay reparations, disarm, lose territory
How did alliances between countries contribute to the outbreak of World War I?
Suggested answer: Alliances created a chain reaction -when one country was attacked, allied nations were drawn into the conflict, escalating a regional dispute into a world war.
What was Germany’s biggest mistake in invading Belgium?
It violated Belgian neutrality, bringing Britain into the war
Why were so many killed?
World War I was so deadly because modern weapons met outdated tactics, creating mass slaughter, combined with trench warfare and poor living conditions.
What was the convoy system?
The convoy system grouped merchant ships together, protected by warships, to safely transport supplies and defend against German submarine attacks
Why was Germany blamed for the war?
Germany was blamed for World War I in the Treaty of Versailles because of its support for Austria-Hungary, its invasion of Belgium, and its aggressive military planning.
Why did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand lead to war?
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and this triggered a chain reaction of political alliances, nationalism, militarism, and longstanding tensions among European powers.
Why did Britain join in the war?
Britain joined World War I because Germany invaded neutral Belgium, violating a treaty Britain had promised to uphold. But deeper reasons included fear of German dominance, support for allies
What was "No Man’s Land"?
Dangerous ground between trenches.
How did airplanes change during WWI?
Planes evolved from scouting (surveillance) to bombing and fighting
What did Wilson want that differed from Clemenceau?
Wilson wanted peace; Clemenceau wanted punishment
Why were the Balkans considered the "powder keg of Europe"?
The Balkans were considered the "powder keg of Europe" because the region was extremely unstable and filled with tensions that could easily lead to a larger conflict—just like a powder keg could explode with a single spark.
What were the consequences of the plan's failure?
A long, two-front war instead of a quick victory
What was the consequence of failing to break the deadlock?
Battles became long, bloody stalemates, with neither side gaining much ground - just mud, death, and frustration.
Why was Zeppelin effectiveness limited?
Zeppelins were briefly effective at the start of the war for bombing and reconnaissance, but as defenses improved, they became too vulnerable and unreliable
What were the main criticisms of the Treaty?
That it was too harsh on Germany; this led to future resentment