Causes of WWI
What does the acronym MAIN stand for?
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.
What type of warfare became common on the Western Front?
Trench warfare.
What weapon made crossing open ground extremely dangerous?
The machine gun.
Which country entered WWI on the Allied side in 1917?
The United States.
In what year did WWI end?
1918.
What is militarism?
The belief that a country should maintain a strong military and be prepared for war.
What was the purpose of trenches?
To protect soldiers from enemy fire and provide defensive positions.
What chemical weapon caused severe injuries and breathing problems?
Poison gas.
Why did the United States enter WWI?
German unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram were major factors.
What agreement officially ended the fighting on November 11, 1918?
The armistice.
Which two major alliance systems divided Europe before WWI?
The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.
What was "No Man's Land"?
The dangerous area between opposing trenches.
What new armored vehicle was introduced during WWI to help cross trenches?
The tank.
Which country withdrew from WWI after its revolution in 1917?
Russia.
What treaty formally ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers?
The Treaty of Versailles.
How did nationalism contribute to tensions in Europe?
Strong national pride and rivalries encouraged competition and conflict between countries.
Why did trench warfare often result in a stalemate?
Defensive positions, machine guns, and other weapons made it difficult for either side to advance.
What underwater weapon did Germany use against Allied and neutral ships?
U-boats (submarines).
What was the Zimmermann Telegram?
A secret German message proposing an alliance with Mexico against the United States.
What international organization was created after WWI to help prevent future wars?
The League of Nations.
What event directly triggered the beginning of WWI?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
What was the Battle of Verdun?
A major 1916 battle between France and Germany that became one of the longest and bloodiest battles of WWI.
Why did new technologies make WWI particularly deadly?
They increased the ability to kill and destroy while defensive tactics often prevented armies from making large advances.
Why did Italy change sides during WWI?
Italy had originally been part of the Triple Alliance but later joined the Allies after receiving promises of territorial gains.
What were some major consequences of WWI?
Millions of deaths, the collapse of empires, political instability, economic problems, and major changes to national borders.