WWI: The Stage is Set (1)

What were the Balkans?

"The powderkeg of Europe"

What was an entente?

A friendly agreement or understanding among nations

What was nationalism?

Desire to unite all people with a common language, race, and culture under a single government

What was the arms race?

European nations engaged in this race to build their strength

What were higher taxes?

Financial result of the race to build military strength

What were (defensive) alliances?

Formal agreements among countries to help each other if attacked

What was militarism?

Glorification of an reliance on armed strength

What were secret alliances?

Hidden, nonpublic agreements among nations to help each other

What were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy?

Members of the Triple Alliance

What were France, Russia, and Great Britain?

Members of the Triple Entente

Who were army officers?

Officials who exercised influence over civilian politicians

What was mobilization?

Ordering of reserve military forces into active service

What were colonies?

Overseas territories where European nations competed

What was the Berlin to Baghdad railroad?

Route Germany proposed to build through the Balkans

What was imperialism?

The move to establish overseas empires; this resulted in increased rivalries

What were naval strength, colonial expansion, and world trade?

Three areas in which Germany challenged Great Britain

What were joint borders and a central position on the continent?

Two main strengths of the Triple Alliance

What were control of the seas and surrounding the Triple Alliance nations?

Two main strengths of the Triple Entente

What were hostile nations on east and west and hostility between Austria-Hungary and Italy?

Two main weaknesses of the Triple Alliance

What were being an entente, not an alliance, and friction between Britain and Russia?

Two main weaknesses of the Triple Entente