USH CH 19
by @test09
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May 16, 2026
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This deck includes 127 flashcards covering enter wwi, central power, ottoman empire, and related concepts. Use it to review key History ideas, focus on weak cards, and prepare for your exam with StudyLess.
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Flashcards
111 total- 01
What were Italy's weaknesses as an Allied Power?
Weak industry, poor preparation, low morale, ineffective generals.
- 02
What was the Sedition Act of 1918?
Banned disloyal or abusive language about the government.
- 03
What territories did Germany lose under the Treaty of Versailles?
European territory and all overseas colonies.
- 04
What was the estimated total death toll of WWI?
~16-20 million: ~9–10 million soldiers and ~6-13 million civilians.
- 05
What were France's weaknesses as an Allied Power?
High casualties, exposed borders, manpower strain.
- 06
Members of the Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- 07
What is militarism as a cause of WWI?
Nations competing for the best equipment and readiness; exemplified by the Anglo-German naval arms race.
- 08
How did alliances contribute to WWI?
Meant to keep the balance of power, but turned a local conflict into a multi-power war.
- 09
Why did Austria-Hungary enter WWI?
To crush Serbia and gain revenge for the assassination.
- 10
What was Germany's strategy regarding submarine warfare in 1917?
Saw unrestricted submarine warfare as its way to break the deadlock and viewed 1917 as its last chance.
- 11
What was the goal of the Zimmermann Telegram's proposal to Mexico?
To tie the U.S. down in a war on its southern border.
- 12
What was the issue with generals' tactics on the Western Front?
Generals could not adapt their tactics to the new technology.
- 13
What was Germany's major offensive in 1918?
A 1918 Spring Offensive after Russia exited the war.
- 14
What were the two main WWI blocs?
The Central Powers and the Allied (Entente) Powers.
- 15
Who intercepted the Zimmermann Telegram?
British intelligence.
- 16
What roles did women fill during the U.S. war effort?
Filled industrial and office jobs.
- 17
How did American troops impact the German advance in 1918?
Large numbers of fresh American troops helped stop the German advance.
- 18
What were German reparations under the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany was forced to pay heavy reparations.
- 19
What were France's strengths as an Allied Power?
A large army, defensive planning, strong national unity.
- 20
What were Italy's strengths as an Allied Power?
Strategic position on Austria-Hungary's border and added manpower.
- 21
How did new technology affect the Western Front?
New technology (machine guns, artillery, barbed wire) favored the defense.
- 22
Why did the U.S. lean pro-Allied?
Due to cultural and ethnic ties with Britain.
- 23
How much did U.S. industrial output rise for the war effort?
Rose about 20%.
- 24
What was the impact of the Spanish Flu in the U.S.?
Killed about 500,000 Americans out of roughly 50 million worldwide.
- 25
What principle did Wilson's Fourteen Points emphasize for ethnic groups?
Self-determination: ethnic groups and nations should govern themselves.
- 26
Which empires collapsed after WWI?
The German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires.
- 27
What officially ended WWI?
The Treaty of Versailles (1919).
- 28
What was the War Guilt Clause in the Treaty of Versailles?
Forced Germany to accept full blame for the war.
- 29
What new nations were formed by 1923?
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Austria, Hungary, and the Baltic states.
- 30
Why did the U.S. Senate reject the League of Nations?
Senators feared it would limit U.S. sovereignty and force America into future wars.
- 31
Did the U.S. Senate ratify the League of Nations?
No, the U.S. Senate rejected the League of Nations.
- 32
What characterized 'balance of power' politics in the 1800s?
Dominated European diplomacy to stop any one state from dominating.
- 33
What is nationalism as a cause of WWI?
Strong nations stressed national power while minority groups and small nations sought independence.
- 34
What is imperialism as a cause of WWI?
Great powers competing for colonies; Britain and France held large empires while a newly unified Germany wanted its own.
- 35
Why did France enter WWI?
Bound by alliance to Russia.
- 36
Why did Germany enter WWI?
To back Austria-Hungary; declared war on Russia and France after they mobilized.
- 37
Who were the main Central Powers?
Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and later Bulgaria.
- 38
What was Germany's belief about winning WWI quickly?
Germany believed time favored the Allies and that the war had to be won quickly.
- 39
How did the British naval blockade affect Germany?
Restricted German food and raw materials, causing civilian hunger.
- 40
What was the traditional U.S. policy toward Europe?
Strong neutrality.
- 41
What did the Zimmermann Telegram propose?
Germany secretly proposed an alliance with Mexico.
- 42
What was the Selective Service Act of 1917?
Created a national draft for men aged 21-30.
- 43
What was the state of the Great Stalemate (Spring 1917)?
~2–3 million soldiers had died across the front for about a dozen miles gained.
- 44
What were Italy's aims as an Allied Power?
Gain Italian-populated land from Austria-Hungary and expand influence.
- 45
What were the U.S. food effort measures?
Rationing, 'meatless' and 'wheatless' days, and victory gardens.
- 46
How were German-Americans and German culture affected during WWI?
German-Americans faced harassment and German culture was suppressed.
- 47
What was the Espionage Act of 1917?
Limited anti-war speech and press; anti-war socialists were jailed.
- 48
What was the 'Great Migration'?
Black Americans moved north for wartime work.
- 49
What international organization did Wilson's Fourteen Points call for?
A League of Nations to resolve disputes and keep peace.
- 50
What was the proposed colonial policy in Wilson's Fourteen Points?
Colonial policy should serve the colonized.
- 51
How did early American units perform in trench warfare?
Were inexperienced but learned trench warfare quickly.
- 52
What did Wilson blame for WWI?
Secret alliances, militarism, imperialism, and economic barriers.
- 53
What were the limitations on Germany's military under the Treaty of Versailles?
Severely limited: small army, no air force, no tanks, no submarines, small navy.
- 54
What new international body was created by the Treaty of Versailles?
The League of Nations.
- 55
How did the Treaty of Versailles conflict with the Fourteen Points?
It was driven by French revenge and applied self-determination unevenly.
- 56
What was the Sykes-Picot Agreement?
Britain and France divided the Middle East.
- 57
What was the stated purpose of WWI vs. its outcome?
Framed as making the world 'safe for democracy,' but its slaughter caused widespread disillusionment.
- 58
Four long-term causes of WWI (M.A.I.N.)
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism.
- 59
How did Germany's unification impact Europe's balance of power?
Germany unified by winning three wars, the largest against France in 1871, which upset Europe's balance of power.
- 60
What was the state of the Ottoman Empire before WWI?
In long decline and nicknamed the 'Sick Man of Europe.'
- 61
What event served as the spark for WWI?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary, in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip.
- 62
What was Germany's 'blank check' in the lead-up to WWI?
Its unconditional pledge of support to Austria-Hungary against Serbia.
- 63
How did Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia?
Serbia accepted most of Austria-Hungary's ultimatum, but Austria-Hungary declared war anyway.
- 64
What role did Russia play in the Balkans?
Positioned itself as protector of fellow Slavs.
- 65
What was the consequence of the Ottoman Empire losing Balkan territory?
Created a power vacuum in the Balkans.
- 66
What did Germany seek regarding its global standing?
Germany sought 'a place in the sun' and challenged British naval supremacy.
- 67
Did the Axis Powers exist in WWI?
No, the Axis Powers did not exist in WWI; that was WWII.
- 68
Who were the main Allied Powers?
Britain, France, Russia, and Italy.
- 69
What were Germany's aims as a Central Power?
Defeat France and Russia, expand into Eastern Europe, gain new colonies.
- 70
What were Germany's strengths as a Central Power?
Strong industry, modern army, effective planning, central position.
- 71
What were Austria-Hungary's aims as a Central Power?
Crush Serbian nationalism and preserve the empire.
- 72
What were Austria-Hungary's strengths as a Central Power?
Large population and German backing.
- 73
What were the Ottoman Empire's aims as a Central Power?
Defend territory, reverse decline, resist Russian expansion.
- 74
What were the Ottoman Empire's weaknesses as a Central Power?
Poor infrastructure, outdated forces, internal instability.
- 75
What were Britain's aims as an Allied Power?
Defend Belgium, maintain the balance of power, protect its empire.
- 76
What were Britain's strengths as an Allied Power?
The world's strongest navy, a global empire, strong finances.
- 77
What was Italy's role in the alliances?
Began in the Triple Alliance but stayed neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915.
- 78
What were Austria-Hungary's weaknesses as a Central Power?
Ethnic divisions, weak leadership, an outdated military.
- 79
What were the Ottoman Empire's strengths as a Central Power?
Strategic location, control of key waterways, German friendship.
- 80
What were Britain's weaknesses as an Allied Power?
A small professional army and dependence on sea lanes.
- 81
Why did Britain enter WWI?
Entered after Germany used the Schlieffen Plan and violated Belgian neutrality to attack France.
- 82
What were Germany's weaknesses as a Central Power?
A two-front war, limited resources, vulnerability to naval blockade.
- 83
What were Russia's aims as an Allied Power?
Protect Serbia, expand in the Balkans, gain warm-water port access.
- 84
What were Russia's strengths as an Allied Power?
Vast population and a large army.
- 85
What was the primary function of trenches on the Western Front?
Protected soldiers from artillery and machine-gun fire.
- 86
What were Russia's weaknesses as an Allied Power?
Poor equipment, weak industry, internal unrest.
- 87
What characterized the Western Front's nature?
Became a war of attrition rather than movement.
- 88
How did the Eastern Front differ from the Western Front?
The Eastern Front had few trenches, was fought over open spaces, and saw advances of hundreds of miles.
- 89
What factors led to Russia's collapse in WWI?
Poor leadership, severe losses, supply shortages, and logistical failure.
- 90
Who seized power in Russia in November 1917?
The Bolsheviks.
- 91
What event marked the end of Tsarist rule in Russia?
The 1917 revolutions.
- 92
Which immigrant groups sympathized with Germany?
Many German-Americans and Irish-Americans.
- 93
How did the Monroe Doctrine influence U.S. foreign policy?
Kept U.S. focus on the Western Hemisphere.
- 94
What was Wilson's reelection slogan in 1916?
'He kept us out of war.'
- 95
What was the impact of reports of German atrocities in Belgium?
Outraged Americans.
- 96
What were the original 'prize rules' for submarine warfare?
Stop a ship and let people escape before sinking it.
- 97
Why did Germany switch to 'sink on sight' submarine warfare?
After the Allies disguised warships as cargo ships.
- 98
What was Germany's temporary response to submarine attacks after the Lusitania?
Temporarily limited submarine attacks to avoid drawing in the U.S.
- 99
What led Wilson to believe neutrality was impossible in 1917?
Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
- 100
How did U.S. loans and trade influence the war's outcome?
Heavy U.S. loans and trade with Britain and France made an Allied victory matter to the U.S. economy.
- 101
What was the Zimmermann Telegram's significance?
The diplomatic note that helped bring the U.S. into WWI.
- 102
What was the Sussex Pledge?
Germany's promise to warn ships before attacking.
- 103
Why did Russia enter WWI?
To protect Serbia and fellow Slavs.
- 104
Who commanded the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)?
General John J. 'Black Jack' Pershing.
- 105
What were France's aims as an Allied Power?
Revenge on Germany, regain Alsace-Lorraine (lost in 1871), ensure security.
- 106
What did Germany promise Mexico in the Zimmermann Telegram?
To help Mexico regain Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
- 107
What was the U.S. involvement in Germany and the Russian Civil War?
U.S. troops occupied parts of Germany and intervened in the Russian Civil War (Polar Bear Expedition).
- 108
What precedent did WWI set for U.S. foreign policy?
The U.S. now had far greater involvement in international affairs.
- 109
Members of the Triple Entente
France, Russia, and Britain.
- 110
What was the significance of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)?
Took Russia out of the war, freeing German forces for the Western Front.
- 111
What were the major themes of Wilson's Fourteen Points?
Open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction.
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