World War I Study Guide
1. Overview
T
● ime Period: July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918
● Main Participants:
○ Allied Powers: France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy(joined in 1915), United
States (joined in 1917), Japan, and others.
○ Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, OttomanEmpire, and Bulgaria.
2. Causes of World War I
A. Militarism
G
● rowth of military power and arms race among European powers.
● Increased spending on military technology, including new weapons like tanks, machine
guns, and aircraft.
B. Alliances
C
● omplex network of alliances created tensions.
● Major Alliances:
○ Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (laterswitched sides).
○ Triple Entente: France, Russia, United Kingdom.
C. Imperialism
● European powers competing for colonies and global dominance.
D. Nationalism
Intense pride and loyalty to one’s nation.
●
● Ethnic groups, especially in the Balkans, sought independence from empires.
E. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
● E vent: On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand,heir to the Austro-Hungarian
throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group.
● Trigger: The assassination set off a chain reaction,leading to Austria-Hungary declaring
war on Serbia.
3. Major Fronts and Battles
A. Western Front
1. Overview
T
● ime Period: July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918
● Main Participants:
○ Allied Powers: France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy(joined in 1915), United
States (joined in 1917), Japan, and others.
○ Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, OttomanEmpire, and Bulgaria.
2. Causes of World War I
A. Militarism
G
● rowth of military power and arms race among European powers.
● Increased spending on military technology, including new weapons like tanks, machine
guns, and aircraft.
B. Alliances
C
● omplex network of alliances created tensions.
● Major Alliances:
○ Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (laterswitched sides).
○ Triple Entente: France, Russia, United Kingdom.
C. Imperialism
● European powers competing for colonies and global dominance.
D. Nationalism
Intense pride and loyalty to one’s nation.
●
● Ethnic groups, especially in the Balkans, sought independence from empires.
E. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
● E vent: On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand,heir to the Austro-Hungarian
throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group.
● Trigger: The assassination set off a chain reaction,leading to Austria-Hungary declaring
war on Serbia.
3. Major Fronts and Battles
A. Western Front
