Glossary
Allied Powers
One of the two major opposing sides in World War I, primarily consisting of Great Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), Italy (from 1915), Japan, and the United States (from 1917).
Example:
The Allied Powers eventually prevailed in World War I, but at an immense cost in lives and resources across their diverse member nations.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, served as the immediate trigger for World War I.
Example:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist ignited a diplomatic crisis that quickly escalated due to existing alliances and militarism.
Balkan Wars (1912-1913)
Two conflicts in Southeast Europe that saw the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of new, often competing, nation-states, exacerbating regional tensions.
Example:
The Balkan Wars (1912-1913) demonstrated the explosive potential of ethnic nationalism in the region, setting the stage for the assassination that would trigger WWI.
Black Hand
A secret Serbian nationalist and terrorist society, active in the early 20th century, that aimed to unite all South Slavs into a single independent state.
Example:
The Black Hand orchestrated the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, believing it would advance their goal of a unified Serbian nation.
Central Powers
One of the two major opposing sides in World War I, primarily consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
Example:
Despite their initial military successes, the Central Powers ultimately faced defeat due to the combined strength and resources of the Allied coalition.
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings in 1814-1815 among European powers to establish a new balance of power after the defeat of Napoleon, aiming to prevent future wars.
Example:
The scramble for colonies in the late 19th century significantly disrupted the balance of power that had been carefully established by the Congress of Vienna decades earlier.
Dreadnoughts
A revolutionary class of battleships introduced by Britain in 1906, characterized by 'all-big-gun' armament and steam turbine propulsion, making older warships obsolete.
Example:
The launch of HMS Dreadnoughts by Britain intensified the naval arms race, as other nations scrambled to build their own versions of these powerful new warships.
Gavrilo Princip
A Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand secret society who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, directly sparking the July Crisis that led to WWI.
Example:
The fateful shot fired by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo set in motion a chain of events that plunged Europe into the deadliest conflict it had ever seen.
German Naval Laws (1898-1912)
A series of legislative acts in Germany that significantly expanded its navy, directly challenging Great Britain's naval supremacy.
Example:
The German Naval Laws (1898-1912) directly fueled the Anglo-German naval arms race, as Britain felt compelled to respond to Germany's growing maritime power.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means of economic and political control over other territories.
Example:
The fierce competition among European powers for colonies in Africa and Asia, driven by imperialism, led to increased rivalries and a scramble for resources that contributed to global tensions.
MANIA
An acronym representing the five main causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Assassination.
Example:
To remember the complex origins of the Great War, students often use the MANIA acronym as a helpful mnemonic device.
Militarism
The glorification of military power and the aggressive build-up of a nation's armed forces, leading to an arms race among competing nations.
Example:
The intense competition between European powers to build larger armies and navies, like Germany's expansion of its fleet, exemplified the dangerous trend of militarism before WWI.
Nationalism
A strong sense of pride and devotion to one's nation, often accompanied by a belief in its superiority and a desire for self-determination or expansion.
Example:
Intense nationalism in the Balkans, particularly among Serbs seeking independence from Austro-Hungarian rule, created a volatile environment ripe for conflict.
Schlieffen Plan
Germany's pre-World War I military strategy for a swift victory over France by invading through neutral Belgium, followed by a rapid redeployment to the Eastern Front against Russia.
Example:
The rigid adherence to the Schlieffen Plan meant that Germany's invasion of Belgium immediately drew Great Britain into World War I, escalating a regional conflict into a global one.
Triple Alliance
A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, designed to protect each member from potential attacks.
Example:
When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, the existence of the Triple Alliance meant that Germany was obligated to support its ally, drawing another major power into the conflict.
Triple Entente
A military alliance formed between Great Britain, France, and Russia by 1907, created to counterbalance the growing power of the Triple Alliance.
Example:
The Triple Entente ensured that once Germany declared war on Russia and France, Britain would also enter the conflict, transforming a continental dispute into a widespread war.