World War One

Front 1

imperialism

Back 1

When larger, more powerful nations control smaller, weaker nations either economically or politically. Most major European nations were imperial powers in Africa – controlling colonies across the continent.

Front 2

nationalism

Back 2

feelings of great pride in one’s country. Although you may equate nationalism with patriotism, nationalism may be felt by any ethnic or historical group – whether they have their own nation or not. So nationalism can lead to civil war or revolution.

Front 3

militarism

Back 3

The glorification and build-up of military forces throughout Europe during the period before the Great War. Nations built up their militaries to protect colonial possessions and as self-defense against other colonial powers.

Front 4

Alliance System

Back 4

Defensive agreements between nations in which three or more nations would pledge to defend their allies in the event that they were attacked by a rival country.

Front 5

The Allied Powers

Back 5

RUSSIA, FRANCE, ENGLAND, SERBIA, BELGIUM, USA

Front 6

The Central Powers

Back 6

GERMANY, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, BULGARIA, OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

Front 7

Franz Ferdinand

Back 7

The Archduke to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated by a Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princips, in Sarajevo in June of 1914. After his death, the Austro-Hungarian Empire threatened to invade Serbia if they did not give in to a list of demands

Front 8

Trench warfare

Back 8

Soldiers fire on one another from opposing lines of dugout trenches. Trenches lined the Western Front from the English Channel to Switzerland. It was practically impossible for soldiers to advance on enemy lines due to the razor wire and machine guns trained on the area known as “no man’s land.”

Front 9

U-boats

Back 9

German submarines. Unrestricted submarine warfare resulted in the downing of merchant vessels and navy ships. American boats were victimized, too.

Front 10

Woodrow Wilson

Back 10

The President of the United States during the World War I Era. When the war started, Wilson encouraged Americans to follow a strict policy of neutrality. After several incidents – the Lusitania, the Sussex, and the Zimmermann Telegram – he would change course and ask for a declaration of war against Germany.

Front 11

Neutrality

Back 11

The policy of supporting neither side in a major conflict. President Wilson encouraged Americans to remain neutral in mind as well as in action during the first two years of the war, from 1914 to 1916. Later, he would encourage Americans to join the war effort against Germany.

Front 12

Why drew the United States into World War I?

Back 12

German unrestricted submarine warfare, political ties to Great Britain, Zimmerman Telegram

Front 13

Lusitania

Back 13

A British passenger liner sunk off the southern coast of Ireland, May 7, 1915 – killing over 1000 passengers, including 128 Americans. The ship, although a passenger vessel, was loaded with a cargo of military equipment. Germany had warned passengers that they would attempt to torpedo the ship by placing ads in local New York newspapers, and ultimately, they carried out their threats.

Front 14

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Back 14

Germany resumed this practice in February of 1917. Basically, German U-boats would sink merchant vessels, naval ships, barges, and even passenger liners on the open seas without warning the innocent passengers on board that they were about to do so.

Front 15

John J. “Blackjack” Pershing

Back 15

The leader of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. As the commander of all US forces in Europe during World War I, Pershing worked cooperatively with French Supreme Commander Ferdinand Foch to defeat the enemy. He gained great fame and recognition in the United States.

Front 16

The American Expeditionary Force

Back 16

The name of the United States Army while it was completing its mission in Europe during World War I.

Front 17

War Bonds (or Liberty Bonds)

Back 17

Americans were encouraged to purchase war bonds and liberty bonds. They were essentially short term loans from Americans to their government to raise money for the war effort! [NOTE: The purpose of the sale of these bonds was to raise money for the war effort.]

Front 18

Propaganda

Back 18

information produced by the government which was intended not only to inform the public about World War I, but also to manipulate public opinion about the war. Often, biased and one-sided war stories or posters encouraging support of the war effort were propaganda.

Front 19

What happened on November 11, 1918 at 11 AM? What was this day called?

Back 19

The armistice which brought World War I to a close began. [NOTE: Today, the anniversary of this date is known as Armistice Day. In the United States, we call the day of remembrance Veterans Day and usually celebrate it on November 11th. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is usually designated a national holiday for Veterans Day]

Front 20

Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Point Plan

Back 20

Woodrow Wilson’s plan for a lasting peace in Europe following World War I. Many of the ideas were included in the Treaty of Versailles which ended the war. Freedom of the seas, free trade, an end to secret treaties, the establishment of numerous new nations, and the creation of the League of Nations were his major goals in the 14 Point Plan.

Front 21

The League of Nations

Back 21

the international peacekeeping organization which Woodrow Wilson hoped to create and have the United States join following World War I. The League of Nations was created and centered in Geneva, Switzerland; however, the United States would never join the world government, which made it weak and ineffective.

Front 22

The Treaty of Versailles

Back 22

The Treaty which brought World War I to an end officially. In the treaty, Germany was blamed for starting the war and forced to pay tens of billions of dollars in reparations. In addition, seven new nations were established, various international laws were put into place, and the League of Nations was created.