WW1 Flashcards
What is militarism?
The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.
European nations were heavily invested in expanding their militaries in the years leading up to WWI.
What are alliances in the context of WWI?
Agreements between countries to support each other in case of war.
Key alliances included the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.
Define nationalism.
A strong sense of pride and loyalty to one’s country or culture.
What is imperialism?
The policy of extending a nation’s power by acquiring territories or colonies.
What does balance of power refer to?
The distribution of military and economic power that prevents any one nation from becoming too dominant.
What was the Triple Alliance?
A military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
Italy would later switch sides during the war.
What was the Triple Entente?
A military alliance between France, Russia, and Great Britain.
Define ethnocentric.
Believing that one’s own culture or ethnicity is superior to others.
What is Splendid Isolation?
A British foreign policy characterized by avoiding alliances or entanglements in European conflicts.
What is an arms race?
A competition between nations to build the largest and most powerful military forces.
What does the term ‘Powder Keg’ refer to?
A term used to describe the Balkans, a region that was highly unstable due to nationalistic tensions.
What does it mean to enlist?
The act of signing up to join the military.
What are conscientious objectors?
Persons who refuse to participate in war for religious or moral reasons.
What was the Western Front?
The main theater of war in WWI, where most fighting occurred between the Allies and Central Powers.
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
A German military strategy designed to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France.
Define trench warfare.
A type of combat in which soldiers fight from trenches, leading to stalemates.
What does ‘Over the Top’ refer to?
A phrase used to describe soldiers leaving their trenches to attack the enemy.
What is No Man’s Land?
The barren area between enemy trenches where soldiers faced heavy fire.
What is a war of attrition?
A strategy to wear down the enemy through continuous loss of personnel and resources.
What is unrestricted warfare?
A policy where submarines target civilian and military ships without warning.
What is war propaganda?
Information used to persuade the public to support the war effort.
Define total war.
A type of warfare where all resources, including civilians, are mobilized for the war effort.
What was the League of Nations?
An international organization established after WWI to promote peace and cooperation.
What are reparations?
Payments made by a country to compensate for war damages.
