HISTORY 20

-WORLD WAR I STUDY SHEET-

The following vocabulary, concept, and geography items ought to be studied

to assure success in your upcoming World War I exam.

I. VOCABULARY
Allies – When groups of nations cooperate toward a common goal or against a
common enemy. In World War I, the Allies were the British Empire, France, and
Russia.

Armistice – Is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to temporarily

stop fighting so that a peace treaty can be worked out.

Central Powers (Triple Alliance) – The Central Powers were the Triple Alliance
(the enemy) of World War I. These were the three countries that the Allies fought
against. The Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman
Empire.

Colonies – A region or country that is controlled by another. For example: Canada,

India, Australia, New Zealand were all colonies of Britain.

Conscription – When citizens of a certain age are required to enrol in the military
(historically just male citizens).

Chlorine Gas – Chlorine gas is a poison gas that was introduced as a weapon in
World War I by the Germans. It travelled in a blue-green cloud and caused an
extreme burning sensation of the eyes, throat, and chest which would usually lead
to the destruction of the respiratory system and death by asphyxiation
(suffocation).

Dreadnought – Large British war ships that were designed at the beginning of the
20th century (1900’s). The idea behind the dreadnoughts was to create a ship that
was all big guns. It was the hope that the dreadnoughts would be the new terror of
the sea.

Eastern Front – Where the Germans were fighting the Russians in eastern Europe.

Entente (Triple) – This is the term that was used for the Allies. The word
“entente” refers to people who agree with each other. The Triple Entente was
made up of Britain, France, and Russia.

Front Line – A front line is anywhere that there is a battle occurring.

Infantry – Soldiers that are trained in fighting on foot (a.k.a. ground troops).
League of Nations – An organization that was created after the Treaty of
Versailles. It was made up of a number of nations throughout the world. Its
purpose was to prevent another war like World War I and to collectively disarm.
The League of Nations was the precursor to the United Nations that was formed
after World War II.

Kaiser – A German word for “King”. It comes from the Greek word “Caesar” (ruler).

Mobilization – The act of assembling weapons, supplies, and troops for war (once a
declaration of war is made or a threat of war is perceived).

Nationalism – The pride and patriotism of belonging to a specific nation, and the
actions taken to defend it and work only for its own interests.

Naval Blockade – The British navy blocked any ships from getting to or from
German ports during World War I. They did this to slowly choke off supplies and
resources from Germany’s colonies and trading partners (including the USA).

No Man’s Land – During a battle or war, land that has not been occupied by either
warring party is called “No Man’s Land”.

Plan XVII – The French battle plan that saw the French forces launch a full-scale
invasion of Germany to capture Alsace and Lorraine – even while the Germans were
pouring in through Belgium (Schlieffen Plan)

Reparation – When the defeated country of a war is required to make large

payments to the victorious country (or countries) to pay for losses and damages
incurred from the war.

Salient – A bulge into enemy territory that creates the situation of being
surrounded by the enemy on three sides. The Canadian defended their salient at
the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915.

Schlieffen’s Plan – The plan made by German general Alfred von Schlieffen for
fighting a two-front war (against the British and French in the West and Russians in
the East).

Somme (Battle) – A nearly 6-month battle in France in 1917. The bloodiest of

World War I.

Stalemate – When the German and Allied forces stopped each other from
advancing, and dug into trenches all along the French-Belgian and French-German
borders.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – A peace treaty made between Russia and Germany in

late 1917. This treaty took Russia out of the War. Russia wanted out of the war
because the Russian Revolution began in 1917.
Treaty of Versailles – The peace treaty that finally ended World War I. It took
place in Paris, France. The treaty did a number of things: (1) it made Germany take
full responsibility for the War, (2) it required Germany to disarm and significantly
reduce its military so that it could never start another war, (3) it made Germany’s
borders smaller and forced Germany to give up its overseas colonies, (4) it required
Germany to make reparation (payments to the Allies) for the War.

Vimy Ridge – A region in France where the Canadians fought a successful battle in
1917 for control of the high ground (ridge) that the Germans held.

War Guilt – When a war is concluded, often the losing nation is required to accept
full blame and responsibility for being the cause of the war. In the Treaty of
Versailles, Germany was saddled with War Guilt.

Western Front – Where the Germans fought the Allies in northern and north-
eastern France and Belgium.

Ypres (2nd Battle) – A region of Belgium (West Flanders) that hosted one of the
largest battles of World War I in 1915. It was here that the Canadians earned a
reputation as fierce fighters upon their arrival. It was here that the Germans, for
the first time, unleashed (chlorine) gas warfare on the Canadians and French.

II. MAJOR CONCEPTS AND ITEMS FROM CLASS

Pre-War Concepts
A. Be able to explain how industrialism, imperialism, and nationalism set the
conditions for World War I to unfold.

B. Be able to identify the two major pre-war alliances: Triple Alliance

(Central Powers) and the Triple Entente.

C. Be able to explain why these Alliances came about in the first place.

D. Be able to explain why the Germans, Austro-Hungarians, and Ottomans

(Turkey) wanted to control the nation of Serbia.

E. Be able to explain when and how the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

came about, and who was responsible.

F. Be able to explain Austria-Hungary’s response to the assassination of the

Archduke. (See “The July Crisis”).

G. Be able to explain how the whole world was drawn into World War I once
the Austro-Hungarians began shelling Serbia. (See how the alliances were
set off)
World War I Concepts
A. Be able to explain what the Schlieffen Plan was and why it was created.

B. Be able to explain what Plan XVII was and why it was created.

C. Be able to explain how the unforeseen Belgian resistance led to the

Stalemate.

D. Be able to explain the beginning of the Canadian involvement in the War.

E. Be able to explain the what, where, and why of the Naval Blockade.

F. Be able to explain three innovations of weaponry from World War I that

have evolved to what is used today in modern warfare.

G. Know the dates, locations, and major Canadian contributions in the three
major battles discussed in class: The Second Battle of Ypres, the Battle of
the Somme, and the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Post War Concepts

A. Be able to explain the circumstances behind the Armistice and German
surrender.

B. Know the date and purpose of the Treaty of Versailles.

C. Know the three major categories of the Treaty of Versailles.

III. GEOGRAPHY
A. Be able to identify the European nations that were required for this
segment of History 20

Britain France Spain Portugal The Netherlands

Belgium Luxemburg

Denmark Germany Austria Hungary Poland Italy

Serbia Romania

Bulgaria Turkey Norway Sweden Finland Russia

B. Be able to identify on a map where the British naval blockade took place.
C. Be able to identify on a map the course of battle outlined in the Schlieffen
Plan and Plan XVII.

D. Be able to identify the region of France that comprised most of the

fighting on the Western Front. (Be able to identify where approximately
the Hindenburg Line was located)

IV. ESSAY QUESTION

I am giving you the following question so that you may be thinking about it
and come to the exam prepared to offer a well-thought answer:

In your opinion, who or what truly bears the War Guilt for the Great
War?

You will be required to write a one-page (or more) essay on this question. As
you craft your answer, you must supply it with material from history to
support/prove your opinion. Remember that an opinion not based on reason
can simply be dismissed without reason.