WORLD WAR ONE

“a place in the sun” : Otto von Bismarck's vision of a widespread German empire comparable to that of the British Berlin Conference, 1885: Regulated European colonial activity in Africa and initiated the “scramble for Africa” Wilhelm II: German emperor who dismissed Bismarck, and went on a totally different course fo policy; his actions like ending Bismarck's alliances were main causes of WW1 Otto von Bismarck: German/Prussian statesmen who orchestrated the unification of German and set up a complex alliance system based on the “balance of power” idea Triple Alliance: This was an alliance between Germany, Austria­Hungary, and Italy created in addition Dual Alliance A defensive alliance between Germany and Austria­Hungary created by Bismark. The two countries didn't really like eachother, but they agreed to benevolent neutrality plus to defend each other if they were attacked. “Reinsurance Treaty”: After the League of the Three Emperors disintegrated, Bismark initiated this agreement between Germany and Russia, they agreed to benevolent neutrality. However, when Russia tried to renew the Treaty in 1890, Wilhelm II refused Franco­Russian Alliance: After the reinsurance treaty fell apart, Russia turned to FRance, and the Franco­Russian alliance was created, ending the isolation of the French “splendid isolation” : This was Britain’s foreign policy in the late 19th century. THey tried to be minimally involved in European foreign affairs in order to maintain the balance of power Admiral Mahan: wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History which pretty much said that a strong navy was key in being a powerful nation. This strongly influenced naval strategies in

the late 19th and early 20th centuries and created a kind­of naval race between Britain and Germany Tirpitz Plan: Germany’s pre­WWI strategic aim: to build the world’s most powerful navy which Britain saw as a direct threat to peace. Entente Cordial: A “friendly agreement” between France and England to counter Germany’s rising power. It was an end to the exclusion/isolation of FRance and Britain’s “splendid isolation” Triple Entente: THe expansion of the Entente Cordial to include Russia, it created a counter alliance to the Triple Alliance which created two distinct sides before WWI 1st and 2nd Moroccan Crises (1st) Kaiser Wilhelm spoke in Morocco and supported their claim to sovereignty, directly in conflict to french claims there. The Germans forced the FRench to meet at a conference about Moroccan independence but since FRance had the support of many other nations Germany had to agree to a compromise with France remaining in control of Morocco. THis is considered one of the main causes of WWI and Germany was pretty much trying to instigate France into conflict with them. (2nd) The Germans sent a Gunboat to Moroccan waters. Germany did this to test the relationship between the British and the French, trying to scare Britain towards Germany, but rather, it drew Britain and France closer since the German aggression frightened the British 1st Balkan Crisis: See Annexation crisis 1908 below Black Hand: A group of Serbian nationalists aiming for unification. Orchestrated the assassination of Archduke FRanz Ferdinand Gavrilo Princep: THe Bosnian­Serb who assassinated Ferdinand. He was a Yugoslav nationalist who wanted the Austrian control gone. Sarajevo, June 28, 1914 : the date of the assassination of the archduke and also the date Austria­Hungary gave the ultimatum to Serbia, directly leading to WWI Archduke Franz Ferdinand The heir to the Austro­Hungarian Empire and the Prince of Bosnia. His assassination by the Black Hand sparked the chain of events that lead to WWI “blank check”: Germany promised Austria­Hungary unconditional support in whatever method they chose to punish Serbia; another step on the process leading to world war Austrian Ultimatum: Austria gave Serbia a list of demands as an ultimatum for the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, but they waited until almost a month after the event to issue the ultimatum, so Austria­Hungary lost popular support and they were viewed as aggressors. Schlieffen Plan: This was the German plan of action in the first weeks of WWI. They launched an offensive line to the West hoping to defeat France quickly before the Russian troops could arrive from the East. The plan backfired, however, because they couldn’t defeat the French swiftly as they expected. Trench warfare: Especially on the Western Front, most conflict in WWI was fought in trenches and the “no­mans land” between them. Troops would dig trenches on the battlefield that they used almost as bases which they protected with lookouts and barbed wire. The empty spaces between trenches were totally exposed to a fire from both sides, making trench warfare a pretty brutal form of conflict.

Dreadnoughts: Dreadnoughts were the most popular type of battleship around the time of WWI. The first of its kind was made by the British Royal Navy and was named The Dreadnought which is where the name comes from. Dreadnought’s had a lot more heavy artillery as well as steam turbines. Big Bertha: Big Bertha was a German military invention. It was essentially a mortar/cannon with a super long range­ up to about 8 miles effectively. The German’s used it to shell Paris from a distance and although it didn't cause much physical damage it certainly frightened the French and their allies “Poor little Belgium”: Germany pretty much occupied Belgium during the war, and it took a major toll on Belgium­ it suffered economic and physical destruction and many of its residents were starving or tried to flee the country since they were being forced to work for the German war machine Joseph Joffre: French general and commander­n­chief of French forces on the Western Front in the early years of the war. He lead the Allies to a strategically significant victory in the First Battle of the Marne, but became less relevant after failures like the German attack on Verdun 1st Battle of the Marne : One of the first major battles of WWI. It stopped the German offense into French territory. It was a decisive victory for the Allies and it established that the war would be long and drawn out and stationary­ setting the stage for years of trench warfare to come. WWI weapons/technology: WWI technology was much more advanced than what had been sued in previous wars. The introduction of the machine gun and the tank made older methods like a cavalry force obsolete and useless. Experimental developments like mustard gas and flame throwers made conflict much more deadly to the average soldier. Conflict in the air and bombings from the sky also made war much more physically destructive. Battle of Verdun: One of the longest and most costly battles ever, the Battle of Verdun was a German attack on a French fortress. Both sides suffered massive casualties, over 300,000 for both the German and French. Battle of the Somme: Battle between German and British with French forces. Fought over the river Somme, and recognized as one of the larger battles of the war. Supposed to be used as a distraction from Verdun. Famous because of the presence of air support and tank use. Ended with the British and French forces penetrating rather deeply into the German territory. Sir Douglas Haig: British senior officer who commanded the British Expeditionary Force. Headed the Battle of the Somme. Is now infamous as being a terrible general who let many die under his command. Battle of Tannenberg: Early battle between Germany and Russia. Happened near Olsztyn. Very bloody on the side of the Russians. The commanding general ended up committing suicide after the loss. Paul von Hindenberg: German Marshall famous for his victory in the Battle of Tannenberg. Essentially made Germany a de­facto military dictatorship throughout the war. Would later on serve as the 2nd president of Germany and would appoint Hitler. Gallipoli: Campaign launched by the British and Americans to secure the strait that provided a sea route for Russia. Ended up failing after 6 months and a lot of deaths.

2nd Battle of the Marne: Last German advance on the Western front. The Germans lost due to the heavy military presence of the French and Americans. Marked the beginning of the end. Lusitania: British ocean liner that was shot down by German subs. Because of the presence of Americans on board, and the fact that the ocean liner should not have been attacked, the U.S. became very annoyed, and public sentiment swayed towards supporting entering the war. Treaty of London, 1915:Treaty signed secretly between the Triple Entente and Italy, indicating that Italy will leave the Triple Alliance, join the Entente, declare war on Germany, and, if the war is won, then Italy will receive certain land. Zimmerman Telegram: Telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, but intercepted by the British. Indicated that, if the U.S. gets involved in the war, then Germany will send forces to help Mexico. Enrage the U.S. public and helped garner support for U.S. entrance into the war. Treaty of Brest­Litovsk: Treaty that allowed for Soviet Russia to withdraw from the war. Signed between Russia and the Central Powers. Ceded all of the Baltic states to Germany, recognized Ukraine’s independence, and agreed to pay a set amount to Germany. WWI casualty figures: Over 37 million total casualties; 16 million dead, 20 million wounded. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in all of world history. Paris Peace Conference: Conference at which the Versailles treaty was established. Big four at the meeting were Wilson, Clemenceau, George, and Orlando. Would break up with huge committees. All discussed and established at this one conference. 14 Points: Points established by Woodrow Wilson. Very idealistic in manner. Called for things ranging from freedom of the seas to open trade between countries. League of Nations: Established by Woodrow Wilson (even though the US never joined because congress was like NAH), this coalition of countries was a super idealistically­based group that would guarantee peace between nations and help prevent future wars. It ended up falling apart and DIDN’T REALLY WORK (Hitler). Reparations: The reparations that were decided in WWI were HUGE against Germany. The required amount was between 12.5­50 billion dollars, which is equivalent today to 165­661. The size of these reparations was simply not payable. Article 231: Article of the Versailles Treaty that placed all of the blame of WWI on Germany. German diplomats were forced to sign it. Woodrow Wilson: President of the United States during and after WWI. Very idealistic in his approach to how to solve the war issues. Proposes the 14 points. Georges Clemenceau: The cutest walrus out there. Prime Minister of France during WWI. Part of the Big Four. Wanted Germany to be torn down and suffer a lot so that they cannot attack France again. David Lloyd George: Prime Minister of Great Britain during WW1. He was part of the “Big Four.” Argued for more conciliatory and less harsh measures on Germany, so he clashed with Clemenceau. Also was a huge part of ensuring that Poland was not annexed by the soviets. Vitorio Orlando: Prime Minister of Italy after WW1. He was part of the “Big Four” at the treaty of Versailles discussions. He was treated very poorly at the discussions, even though Italy had fought on the side of the Allies. This may be a result of having been part of the Triple Alliance until 1915. Orlando wished to receive, at the least, the Adriatic coast. But his

ambitions clashed with Wilson’s ideology of self­determination, and so Italy didn’t even get that. Rhineland Mandates: The Rhineland, a buffer between Germany and France, Belgium, and Luxembourg was kept under the political control of Germany after WW1 but was demilitarized. This was mainly a policy pushed by France, as they feared German power and felt that if there were a demilitarized buffer, they’d be safer. National self­determination: Philosophy strongly supported by Woodrow Wilson that called for the ability of all nations, including colonies, to declare their own sovereignty and international stance without any outside pressures or forces. Annexation Crisis, 1908: Also known as the First Balkan Crisis, the issue erupted on October 6th, when Austria­Hungary declared annexation of Bosnia­Herzegovina a day after they declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. Created huge tensions internationally, especially between Austria­Hungary, Serbia, and Russia. Some argue this is why the issue in Sarajevo even occurred. Economic Consequences of the Peace: Written by John Maynard Keynes in 1919, the book argues against the Treaty of Versailles, saying that it is too harsh, requiring far too high of reparations on the part of Germany, and that all of the world will be affected by the economic downfall of Germany. Contributed to a societal feeling of dislike towards the Treaty as a whole and helped justify appeasement pre­WWII. Fischer Thesis: Thesis presented by historian Fritz Fischer after he had access to all historical documents of Germany. Argued that Germany had intentionally started WWI in hopes of world­domination. Cited evidence of plans of mass expansion throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Also found evidence of plans of ethnic cleansing. Historians widely accept this thesis. Alsace­Lorraine: Buffer territory between France and Germany. Prior to WWI, the land was Germany’s. After the war, however, it was annexed by France (1919), only to be taken over by Hitler in (1940).