Honors World History B Unit 6: World War I and the Russian Revolution

Francis Ferdinand

(1863-1914) Heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination in Sarajevo set in motion the events that started World War I.

atrocity

(n.) an extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel act; something very bad or unpleasant

contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.

total war

A conflict in which the participating countries devote all their resources to the war effort

stalemate

A deadlock in which neither side is able to defeat the other

militarism

A policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always prepared for war

neutrality

A position of not taking sides in a conflict

Fourteen Points

A series of proposals in which U.S. president Woodrow Wilson outlined a plan for achieving a lasting peace after World War I.

Dardanelles

A vital strait connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean

How did the war contribute to the mass murder of the Armenian people? Include details from the text.

After Turkish Armenians aided the Russian army, the Ottoman government forcibly removed the Armenians from their ancestral homeland in northern Turkey. During the deportation, hundreds of thousands of Armenians died. Many died of starvation; others were murdered in planned massacres.

mandate system

Allocation of former German colonies and Ottoman possessions to the victorious powers after World War I; to be administered under League of Nations supervision.

Rank the top five technologies used in the war from most to least important. Defend your rankings in a paragraph using evidence.

Artillery and machine guns should go at the top of the rankings because of the high casualties they caused and their contribution to the development of trench warfare. Submarines could also go close to the top because of their influence on supply lines. Tanks and poison gas might come next. Tanks would rate in the middle because they did not break the stalemate as hoped, and poison gas would rate in the middle because, even though it did not have a huge effect in terms of numbers, it did have a huge effect psychologically. Zeppelins and airplanes should be at the bottom of the ranking because they had the least impact.

How did Germany's invasion of Belgium bring Britain into the war?

Belgium was a neutral country that did not want to be involved in war. Britain had signed a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality. After Germany violated Belgium's neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany.

Compare Russia's civil war with its involvement in World War I. How were both wars alike? How were they different?

Both wars were alike in that they killed millions of people, caused starvation and suffering for the Russian people, and involved the incursion of foreign forces on Russian soil. They were different in that World War I was fought by Russians against an external foe, while the civil war pitted Russians against Russians as they fought to decide the kind of government Russia would have.

T.E. Lawrence

British colonel sent to support the Arab revolt

How might the harsh provisions of the Treaty of Versailles affect conditions in Germany?

By leaving Germany in such a weakened state, saddling it with reparations payments to all of the Allied nations, and not allowing it to participate in the peace negotiations, the treaty would leave Germans embittered, angry, impoverished, and defensive. Germany would be likely to seek relief and revenge in the future, and look for scapegoats to blame for its misfortune.

commissar

Communist party officials assigned to the army to teach party principles and ensure party loyalty during the Russian Revolution

How did Lenin and Trotsky use brutality and terror to win the Russian Civil War?

Communists murdered the tsar and his entire family so that they could not rally counterrevolutionary forces. The Cheka was a secret police force that executed citizens who were suspected of opposing the Revolution. An order was issued in the Red Army to shoot one out of every ten soldiers in a unit if it performed poorly in battle.

self-determination

Concept that ethnicities have the right to govern themselves

pandemic

Disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects a very high proportion of the population.

radical

Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Federal system of socialist republics established in 1923 in various ethnic regions of Russia; firmly controlled by Communist party; diminished nationalities protest under Bolsheviks; dissolved 1991.

tsar

From Latin caesar, this Russian title for a monarch was first used in reference to a Russian ruler by Ivan III (r. 1462-1505). (pp. 340, 551)

What action by Germany brought Britain into the war?

Germany invaded the neutral country of Belgium in order to attack France.

What were the two main alliances, and which countries were in them?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Central Powers. Britain, France, and Russia formed the Allied Powers.

Does the cartoonist think Wilson's solution will work?

He seems skeptical because the branch is too big for the dove to carry, meaning the League of Nations solution will not succeed.

What did Wilfred Owen hope to convey through his poetry?

He wanted to describe the grim reality of combat and the disillusionment he felt about war.

What experience led Lenin to oppose the tsar's government?

His brother was hanged by the tsar.

What accounts for Wilfred Owen's change of opinion about fighting in WWI?

His enthusiasm for the war changed after he witnessed firsthand the horrors of modern combat.

propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

How did imperialism influence war?

Imperialism was one of the long-term causes of the war. Imperialism helped make the war a global conflict, as battles were fought in the colonies as well as in Europe. The colonies gave the European powers access to additional supplies and manpower.

How did the alliance system spread the original conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia into a general war involving many countries?

In the alliance system, countries were expected to come to each other's aid in time of war. This meant that, as soon as Austria-Hungary and Serbia went to war, all the countries with which they were allied were also likely to get involved in the conflict. Russia, Germany, France, and Britain entered the war because of alliances and agreements that they had with other countries.

How were the following major causes of World War I interconnected: imperialism, nationalism, and militarism?

International tensions led to increases in military spending and militarism, and militarism led to increased nationalism, which in turn led to imperialism.

How did the Treaty of Versailles weaken Germany?

It forced the country to pay reparations, limited its military, and took colonies and land from it.

proletariat

Marx's term for the exploited class, the mass of workers who do not own the means of production

Why was Marxist/communist/socialist ideology attractive to many Russians during this period? Support your answer with evidence from the chart.

Marxist, communist, and socialist ideology played a large role in the Russian revolutions. While, initially people revolted because of war and starvation, the emergence of the Bolsheviks brought an ideology to the people. The Bolsheviks did not follow all aspects of the Marxist ideology, in particular the classless society, but rather instituted a system where they held power and determined how wealth would be distributed.

How did total war cause soldiers' and civilians' morale to collapse?

Morale collapsed because of food shortages, economic decline, high taxes, and the high number of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured.

Review the chart in Major Causes of WWI, and then answer the following question: How does the data in the chart support the idea that militarism was on the rise?

Most of the European countries in the chart had extremely large military forces.

What were the effects of major new military technologies on World War I?

New military technologies, such as rapid-fire machine guns, long-range artillery, and poison gas, increased the number of casualties caused by the war. On the Western Front, new military technologies made it difficult for soldiers to advance, which led to a four-year stalemate.

How did the actions of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife lead to revolution in Russia?

Nicholas II opposed efforts to limit his power. His government led Russia into a disastrous war. He took personal charge of the armies, and he was incompetent. More casualties and losses resulted. The tsarina undermined public confidence in the royal family by relying too much on Rasputin, an illiterate peasant.

Read the fifth of Wilson's Fourteen Points. Then read the two paragraphs in the section The Mandate System. Do you think the Allies followed Wilson's recommendation for dealing with colonies? Why or why not?

No, the Allies did not follow Wilson's recommendations. Germany's former colonies were divided up among the Allies without the regard to the wishes of the native populations that Wilson advised, and people in the colonies were left feeling betrayed.

Vladimir Lenin

Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870-1924).

Cheka

Secret police set up by Lenin-arrested "enemies of the revolution".

Why did Austria-Hungary and Germany go to war against Serbia? Think about and include elements of the following in your answer: nationalism; international rivalries; militarism.

Slavic, and particularly Serbian, nationalism had been a threat to Austria-Hungary for many years. Because Austria-Hungary and Germany were allies, a threat to one was also a threat to the other. The German rivalry with Russia meant that it did not want Russia's ally—Serbia—to be strong. German militarism meant that Germany was prepared and even eager for a war.

How was World War I a total war, and how did nations rally their citizens to fight?

So many countries were involved; the war required the mobilization of entire economies to produce military goods; citizens were drafted into the military; countries rallied citizen support by using propaganda, appealing to nationalist feelings and convincing citizens they needed to be great powers.

Why were there such high casualties on the Eastern Front?

Soldiers on the Eastern Front didn't have the protection of trenches. Russia relied more on great numbers of soldiers than on technology to fight. Russian leaders kept sending large numbers of troops to the front lines even though these troops were poorly equipped and not able to adequately protect themselves.

Alsace and Lorraine

Territory taken by Germany from France as a rest of the Franco Prussian war. Was later returned to France as a result of German defeat in WWI

The Communists drew up a constitution that, according to the text, asserted that "all political power, resources, and means of production would belong to workers and peasants." How truthful was this assertion? How do you think this affected the credibility of the Soviet Union?

The Communists were not truthful in their constitution. The Communist party, not the people, controlled the government and the economy. This probably reduced the credibility of the Soviet Union, making people less likely to believe the Soviet leaders in the future.

Differentiate between the February Revolution and the October Revolution. What were the outcomes of each?

The February Revolution resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and marked the end of tsarism in Russia. A provisional government was installed. The October Revolution grew out of the failures of the provisional government to address the urgent problems in Russia. The October Revolution overthrew that government, brought the Bolsheviks to power, and a civil war resulted. Lenin's Communists won the civil war and established the Soviet Union.

Refer to the infographic The Costs of World War I in The Great War Ends. Describe how American financial costs and casualties compared to the costs and casualties borne by the other Allies. How can you explain these differences?

The United States suffered far fewer casualties than its allies. It spent significant money but less than the other Allies. The lower costs were due to America's late entry into the war and the fact that the war was not fought on American soil.

Was Austria-Hungary justified in going to war against Serbia? Why or why not?

The act of terrorism was enough to warrant declaring war. Alternatively, Serbia gave in to most of Austria-Hungary's demands, and, therefore, Austria-Hungary was not justified.

How did a single event start a chain reaction that sparked World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand sparked World War I. It caused a chain event that escalated out of control because countries were driven by the alliance system, militarism, and nationalism.

Describe the impact of the influenza pandemic.

The influenza pandemic resulted in widespread death around the globe. As society became more mobile, pandemics such as this one were carried along trade routes.

How does this map help explain the expansion of World War I from a localized to a global war?

The map shows the alliances in place in Europe, which caused additional countries to become involved in the war that began with a dispute between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.

Why did the alliance system develop, and why did it result in war rather than peace?

The nations of Europe did not trust each other and wanted to check each other's power. When the crisis occurred, some countries used it as an opportunity to gain power or land.

What view of the Balkans does this cartoon present?

The perspective of this cartoon is that the Balkans is a dangerous place that the larger European powers cannot control.

Refer to the McCrae poem from the previous lesson. Answer the following question: How does this poem reflect the human cost of war?

The poem is describing a cemetery filled with men killed by the war.

How did World War I help to pave the way for the Russian Revolution?

The war greatly weakened Russia, which was already troubled by the great inequities between the aristocracy and the peasants. The war pushed the feeble economy to collapse, causing widespread hunger. The enormous number of casualties and losses at the front caused further distress and bitterness. In short, the war pushed an already weak country into collapse.

What influence did the war in the Middle East have on the war as a whole?

The war in the Middle East weakened the Ottoman empire, which in turn helped the Allies win the war.

Did the battles in Italy and the Balkans have an impact on the outcome of the war? Why or why not?

The war was fought mainly on the Eastern and Western Fronts, so the southern fronts of Italy and the Balkans did not have a huge influence. Sending soldiers to the Italian and Balkan fronts further stretched the Central Powers' resources, therefore helping the Allies.

Why did it take so long for the United States to enter World War I?

The war was happening overseas, not on American soil; Americans had different loyalties to European nations, depending on their own backgrounds. For example, there were German Americans who favored Germany and Irish Americans who opposed Britain. It was not clear to many Americans why it was necessary to enter the war or on which side America should join. It was also not clear how it was in American interests to enter the war.

What was the problem with using poison gas?

The wind could blow it the wrong way.

Why might the war cause an economic recession or depression in Europe?

Total war can leave a nation's economy broken and bankrupt. Citizens may go without many necessities, including food. The cost of reconstruction, reparations, and paying off war debts will leave European economies very fragile, increasing the likelihood of a recession or depression.

How were war communism and the New Economic Policy different in their policies and their results?

War communism did away with free enterprise and private property. The government seized control of businesses and resources, including food, and made all the major economic decisions. But the economy faltered under this communist model, so Lenin instituted a New Economic Policy that allowed for limited capitalist ventures. Under this policy, the Soviet economy improved.

In what ways did women's contributions and experiences during World War I directly contribute to social and political changes for women after the war?

Women took pride in their accomplishments working outside the home and supporting the war effort. They felt that they had proven that they could handle greater responsibilities and more demanding and dangerous jobs. They felt their contributions to the war effort were significant enough that they should be allowed the right to vote.

U-boat

a German submarine that was the first submarine employed in warfare, initially used during WW1

ultimatum

a final proposal or statement of conditions

bond

a formal contract to repay borrowed money with interest at fixed intervals

reparation

a payment made for a wrong or an injury

What did the Bolsheviks believe was the only way to change things in Russia?

a revolution against the provisional government

armistice

an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce.

In what ways was Germany forced to make amends for its role in World War I?

by paying reparations, assuming full blame for the war, limiting its military, giving up Alsace and Lorraine and its colonies, and the forcing of German citizens to leave territories that were given up

conscription

compulsory enlistment for state service, typically into the armed forces.

soviet

council of workers and soldiers set up by Russian revolutionaries in 1917

convoy

group of merchant ships protected by warships

zeppelin

large gas-filled balloon (used by Germany to bomb England)

What new military gun made the number of casualties so high?

machine gun

Review the chart in The Great War Ends, and then answer the following question: How would you describe the costs of World War I?

millions of lives lost; billions of dollars spent on the war effort; high casualty rates

entente

nonbinding agreement to follow common policies

What did the creators of this poster hope that men would do after viewing this image?

support the war effort by enlisting

What were three other important weapons developed in World War I?

tanks, planes, submarines (U-boats), blimps

What was the name of Wilson's plan for postwar peace without vengeance?

the Fourteen Points

What event sparked World War I?

the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by a Serbian

collective security

the cooperation of several countries in an alliance to strengthen the security of each.

mobilize

to coordinate; to move people or things around for a purpose

What was the purpose of the League of Nations?

to gather nations together to keep world peace