Download - Sweet Home Central School District

TEST REVIEW
Name __________________________________
In 1914 the continent of Europe had entangled itself in a mess of chaos between many nations. All of the major nations of
the world in that continent had formed alliances that had thrown them into the first World War (also known as the “Great
War”). The conflicts that had once been an issue within a nation state now combined with greed, imperialistic thoughts,
and fears of other European nations and would eventually evolve in the first world conflict and a major one of the 20th
century.
Causes of the war:
 Militarism- Nations of Europe were building up there military forces and weaponry to compete with one another.
 Alliances- Major nations of Europe had allied (joined) with one another in case of future conflicts. Therefore
when one got involved in fighting, they all had to (domino effect). Alliances increased fighting in the war.
 Imperialism- European nations were competing for colonies in Asia and Africa, which resulted in resentment,
tension, and competition between them.
 Nationalism –loyalty and pride in one’s own nation.
Alliances (Sides in the war):
During the period from 1900 to 1914 European Political leaders believed the best peace could be maintained by creating a
system of alliances. They were made to create intimidation and maintain peace, but in the end they dragged more
countries into the war than needed to be.
TRIPLE ALLIANCE
TRIPLE ENTENTE
(The Central Powers)
(The Allies)
 Germany
 France
 Austria-Hungary
 Great Britain
 Italy
 Russia
-Ottoman Empire
-Eventually the US
-Many other smaller nations
-Many other smaller nations

Tensions rose in Europe slowly, but physical combat and declarations of war did not begin until an assassination was made.
In June of 1914, the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife were murdered in Bosnia.
Immediately a terrorist group called the Black Hand from a Russian land holding (Serbia) was blamed and war was
declared.
o The assassination of the Archduke was an immediate cause of war (the spark)
o Soon after Austria-Hungary and Germany declared war on Russia, then France, and vice versa. Soon all
others fell in line (dominoes) and WWI began.
o Serbia was a part of the Balkan Peninsula, which had been having major ethnic conflicts. Conflicting
national interests from this area threatened world peace.
o Ethnic conflicts in the Balkans (Break up of Ottoman & Austrian Empires), Russia (Persecution of Jews in
Pogroms), and Ottoman Empire (Turkish massacre of Armenians) led to heightened tensions, hatred,
and threats in Europe. “Powder Keg”.

The US chose to stay neutral at first. They were benefiting greatly from the war in their economy. The US was creating war
materials and supplies for both sides fighting and their manufacturing industry was profiting greatly.
 Unfortunately, in 1915, the Germans decided to begin using their new submarines to wage unrestricted warfare on ships in
enemy ports. This was their attempt at a blockade of their enemy’s ports. The US warned them to not fire on trade or
passenger ships but they continued and eventually sunk a British passenger ship, The Lusitania, which carried 128 US
passengers and over 1200 British civilians. This angered the US and pushed them closer to entering the war.
Archduke assassinated

WWI begins in Europe
Trench Warfare/death
War Ends
New Weapons in Warfare & Methods of Fighting:
o
Many new weapons were used during this war including chemical gases, gas masks, armored tanks, submarines
(u-boats), the machine gun, barbed wire, planes, Junkers, and torpedoes.
o

Trench warfare- Soldiers dug deep trenches into earth for protection and to be able to mobilize on the fronts
(battlefields).
Many nations on both sides were feeling the troubles of war. There was a massive loss of life. The influenza sickness became
an epidemic and was killing many, economies were struggling, and soldiers were starving and lacking supplies. Russia
eventually called a truce in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended fighting between Russia & Germany. The Allies saw this
as a betrayal.
Russian Revolution:

Russia withdrew in part due to turmoil of their own in their nation. Peasants and urban poor were starving and facing
poverty in Russia with little being done by the Czar.

The Russian Revolution was caused by: Low spirits after defeat by Japan, poverty & poor working conditions, sharp
economic differences in social classes, corrupt czars & government, persecution of minorities “Russification”, Bloody
Sunday Killings.

The revolution in Russia was fueled by Marxist theory of an overthrow by the Proletariat but it contradicted it in that Russia
was mainly agricultural at this time and not Industrial.

The results of the Revolution were: New reforms attempted by Czar Nicolas, Duma set up to approve laws, Duma
dissolved when they criticize Nicolas, Pogroms on Jews, Laws limit Duma.

As a result of no real change, a group known as the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Czar
and killed the royal family. He turns Russia into the Soviet Union and makes changes. Peasants supported the Bolsheviks
because they promised to redistribute land held by nobles. After Lenin’s death, a power struggle occurred between
communist party leaders and after the “Great Purge” Joseph Stalin emerged as leader. Under Lenin and his predecessor
Joseph Stalin the Soviet Union had the following changes:
o
Pulls Russia out of WWI
o
Brings communism & one party system to Russia creating “Soviet Union”
o
New Economic Policy (Communism) government control of all.
 Command Economy created. This is when there is government control and ownership of all methods of
production, industry, agriculture, and business.
o
Create totalitarian state (one party dictatorship that controls all)
o
Five year plan to industrialize (focus on heavy industry) Soviet Union & Collectivization of land

Germany had taken the offensive for most of the war moving into the Western Front (France). But the
arrival of fresh US troops (to relieve the exhausted and starving allied troops) rejuvenated them and pushed Germany
back into a retreat. Germany suffered much loss of life, supplies, money, and morale. This led to their surrender in an
armistice (agreement for peace) in 1918.
EFFECTS OF WWI:
 Just prior to the war ending, President Woodrow Wilson of the United States suggested in his plan “The Fourteen Points”.
This plan was a plan for peace between nations. It called for:
o End to secret agreements and alliances
o Freedom on the seas to trade safely (limit to arms on the seas)
o Peaceful settlement to disputes over colonies
o Self-determination-the right of national groups to have their own territory and forms of government
(new independent nations/ Eastern Europe)
o Creation of the League of Nations- A general association of nations formed after WWI to maintain peace
and conversation to settle disputes throughout the world.
 After WWI new borders in Eastern Europe/Slavic countries reflected ethnic patterns.
 After Germany surrendered, they were forced to sign Treaty of Versailles. The treaty called for:
o Germany had to take full blame for the war
o Germany had to repay the allies reparations for the war (costs, soldier pensions, and pensions to
widows/children of soldiers)
o Germany was required to reduce the size of its military
o Germany had to give up its overseas colonies to Britain/France and some of its European Territory.
 The Treaty of Versailles was a humiliation for Germany. They followed it but it would lead to growing tensions and
resentment in that nation that will eventually help spark WWII.
o The treaties terms were also so harsh to nations of the central powers that it heavily contributed to the
economic and political problems of Europe that would cause depressions and WWII.