Ch 15: World War I: Battles & Diplomacy
About This Chapter
World War I: Battles & Diplomacy - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Known as the Great War, World War I took millions of lives, ravaged countries and changed warfare forever. In this chapter, you'll explore the causes of WWI in addition to learning about the key players, technologies and diplomatic efforts that helped shape the war and its outcome. By studying the lessons, you'll find out about topics such as:
- Why Europe was a 'powder keg' in the years leading up to WWI
- What new methods of warfare were used during WWI
- What the outcomes of major WWI battles were
- Why America entered the war
- What the results of the Paris Peace Conference were
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| Causes of World War I: Factors That Led to War | Learn about the causes of WWI and the impact of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination. |
| The Powder Keg of Europe During WWI | Examine the political turmoil throughout Europe that contributed to the Great War. |
| World War I: On Land, at Sea & in the Air | Discover the military strategies and new technologies used during WWI. |
| Famous Battles of the First World War: Lesson & Quiz | Get details on the locations, strategies and outcomes of key WWI battles. |
| Diplomacy of World War One: Secret Agreements & Diplomatic Arrangements | Find out about the diplomatic agreements and treaties developed during WWI. |
| WWI: America's Entry and Russia's Exit | See what events led Russia to retreat from WWI and caused the U.S. to enter it. |
| The Peace of Paris: Ending World War I | Discover which global leaders attended the Paris Peace Conference and the provisions of the resulting Treaty of Versailles. |
1. Causes of World War I: Factors That Led to War
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the tipping point for World War I to begin. Learn the causes that led to the war through the acronym MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.
2. The Powder Keg of Europe During WWI
Europe was considered a 'powder keg' in the years leading up to World War I. Learn what it meant to be a 'powder keg' and the factors that led to this instability, including shifting geopolitical dynamics and entangling alliances. Examine the spark that ignited the 'powder keg' and how it figures in historical debate.
3. World War One: On Land, at Sea & In the Air
World War One was the first war in which mechanized warfare was carried out on a large scale, waged on land, at sea, and in the air. Learn how warfare was conducted with the new technologies that made it possible: in trenches, by airplane, and by submarine.
4. Famous Battles of the First World War
The First World War, which was fought between 1914 and 1918, included several significant battles. Learn about the more famous and major battles, including Tannenberg, Marne, Verdun, Somme, and Ypres. Review how each of these battles affected the war, and recognize the difference between Eastern Front and Western Front battles.
5. Diplomacy of World War One: Secret Agreements & Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic history is a major part when discussing World War I, beginning with the July Crisis. Learn about the Treaty of London, the Zimmermann telegram, the treaty of both Brest-Litovsk and the Treaty of Versailles, along with the Skyes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration.
6. WWI: America's Entry and Russia's Exit
World War I was fought between two allied groups, the Triple Entente or Allied Powers and the Triple Alliance. Learn about the circumstances behind America's entry into and Russia's exit from WWI, as well as its effects on the war.
7. The Peace of Paris: Ending World War I
Near the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson developed a plan for peace in Europe. Learn about Wilson's 14-point peace plan, the Armistice of Compiegne that ended all hostilities, the results of the Paris Peace Conference, and the Treaty of Versailles, in which Germany accepted responsibility for the damage it had caused by starting the war.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the World History II course
- Europe's Age of Exploration
- The Protestant Reformation
- The Elizabethan Era in Europe
- European Colonialism
- Absolute Monarchs in Europe
- Empire and Expansion in the 18th Century
- The Asian World (1368-1911)
- The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
- The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte
- Nationalist Revolutions Across the World
- Industrialization in the Western World
- European Life & Trends
- Imperialism in the 19th-20th Centuries
- Global Transformations in the Early 20th Century
- Revolution & Nationalism in Asia
- Crisis & Depression Between the World Wars
- World War II: European & Pacific Theaters
- Restructuring the World After World War II
- The Spread of Democracy Across the World
- Europe & the United States After 1945
- Latin America after 1945
- Africa & the Middle East After 1945
- Asia & the Pacific After 1945
- Contemporary Global Concerns