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World War I Begins

Word List with 18 words
By Dictionary.com

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Words in This List

Franz Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria; heir apparent of Franz Josef I. His assassination in Sarajevo contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

powder keg

A potentially dangerous situation, especially one involving violent repercussions.

blank check

A bank check bearing a signature but no stated amount; Austria requested and received one of support from Germany, should Russia have entered the war.

Serbian militants

Assassins of the archduke Franz Ferdinand who sought independence for Serbia.

Austro-Hungary

A constitutional monarchic union between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in central Europe, resulting from an 1867 compromise. Wanted to invade Serbia to quell dissent there but faced the threat of Russia, a Serbian ally.

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Kaiser Wilhelm II

The last German emperor (kaiser) and King of Prussia.

Tsar Nicholas II

The last emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and King of Poland.

ultimatum

A final, uncompromising demand or set of terms issued by a party to a dispute, the rejection of which may lead to severance of relations or to the use of force. Austria-Hungary issued one to Serbia, which was partially accepted, and led to war.

July 28, 1914

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. WWI begins.

Schlieffen Plan

The German General Staff's early 20th century strategic plan for victory in a possible future war in which the German Empire might find itself fighting on two fronts: France to the west and Russia to the east.

defense agreement

An agreement to provide resistance against attack. A series of these brought Britain and France into WWI.

interdependency

Mutually dependent; depending on each other.

Tannenberg

A village formerly in East Prussia, now in Poland. Site of a major German victory over the Russians in 1914.

Masurian Lakes

Site of a second major German victory over the Russians in 1914.

Sabac

Site of an initial Austro-Hungary victory, followed by a successful Serbian ambush in the Jadar Valley by General Radomir Putnik.

Japan

A constitutional monarchy on a chain of islands off the eastern coast of Asia. Main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Entered WWI on August 23, 1914, in solidarity with Britain.

Triple Entente

Allies in WWI; an informal understanding among Great Britain, France, and Russia based on a Franco-Russian military alliance (1894), an Anglo-French entente (1904), and an Anglo-Russian entente (1907).

Central Powers

Germany and Austria-Hungary, often with their allies Turkey and Bulgaria, as opposed to the Allies.