WORLD WAR I (THE GREAT WAR) UNIT

The Great War, also known as World War I, was the result of tensions reaching their
boiling point among the great European industrial empires (Britain, Russia, and France
vs. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). This war was significant
because industrialization allowed these empires to build some of the most destructive
weapons ever made up until that point, and the new railroads allowed the weapons and
troops to move to the front lines with stealth. The new military technologies developed
in this war have continued to evolve through the 20th century to what is used today in
world conflicts.

Unit Outline (Please Note: Each topic below represents multiple lessons and periods,
with the exception of the review, the quizzes, and the unit exam.)

1. Introduction to World War I

2. The Causes of World War I
3. Quiz #1
4. Germany’s Invasions and the Allies’ Counter-Attack
5. Britain’s Naval Blockade
6. Quiz #2
7. World War I Military Technology Presentations
8. Major Battles Involving the Canadian Forces
9. Review
10. Vocabulary Test/Unit Exam

Unit Evaluation

1. Two Quizzes = 15%

2. World War I Propaganda Assignment 15%
3. War Technology Presentation = 25%
4. World War I Vocabulary Test = 15%
5. Unit Exam = 30%

**Please note: Throughout this unit (and the course) I will be assigning readings with
questions (as well as other assignments). I will periodically do homework checks. Any
homework not brought to class OR not complete will result in a 3% penalty to your
overall mark. **
Vocabulary

The following list of vocabulary is words that are crucial to this unit that you need to
know. At the end of every week we will examine these words in our L to J. The unit
will conclude with a vocabulary test.

Allies – When groups of nations cooperate toward a common goal or against a common
enemy. In World War I, the Allies were the British Empire, France, and Russia.

Armstice – Is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to temporarily stop
fighting so that a peace treaty can be worked out.

Central Powers (Triple Alliance) – The Central Powers were the Triple Alliance (the
enemy) of World War I. These were the three countries that the Allies fought against.
The Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Colonies – A region or country that is controlled by another. For example: Canada,

India, Australia, New Zealand were all colonies of Britain.

Conscription – When citizens of a certain age are required to enrol in the military
(historically just male citizens).
Chlorine Gas – Chlorine gas is a poison gas that was introduced as a weapon in World
War I by the Germans. It travelled in a blue-green cloud and caused an extreme burning
sensation of the eyes, throat, and chest which would usually lead to the destruction of the
respiratory system and death by asphyxiation (suffocation).

Dreadnought – Large British war ships that were designed at the beginning of the 20th
century (1900’s). The idea behind the dreadnoughts was to create a ship that was all big
guns. It was the hope that the dreadnoughts would be the new terror of the sea.

Eastern Front – Where the Germans were fighting the Russians in eastern Europe.

Entente (Triple) – This is the term that was used for the Allies. The word “entente”
refers to people who agree with each other. The Triple Entente was made up of Britain,
France, and Russia.

Front Line – A front line is anywhere that there is a battle occurring.

Infantry – Soldiers that are trained in fighting on foot (a.k.a. ground troops).

League of Nations – An organization that was created after the Treaty of Versailles. It
was made up of a number of nations throughout the world. Its purpose was to prevent
another war like World War I and to collectively disarm. The League of Nations was the
precursor to the United Nations that was formed after World War II.

Kaiser – A German word for “King”. It comes from the Greek word “Caesar” (ruler).
Mobilization – The act of assembling weapons, supplies, and troops for war (once a
declaration of war is made or a threat of war is perceived).

Nationalism – The pride and patriotism of belonging to a specific nation, and the actions
taken to defend it and work for its own interests.

No Man’s Land – During a battle or war, land that has not been occupied by either
warring party is called “No Man’s Land”.
Passchendaele – Is a town in Belgium that was the location of one of the largest “back-
and-forth” battles of World War I. It was the Canadian Forces that were finally
successful in taking Passchendaele from the Germans on November 6th, 1917.

Q-Ships – These were heavily-armed decoy ships that were designed to look like
merchant or commercial boats to lure German U-boats (submarines) to the surface.
German U-boats would usually surface when there were non-military boats in the area.
Once the U-boats surfaced, the disguised Q-boats would open fire and sink the German
submarines.

Reparation – When the defeated country of a war is required to make large payments to
the victorious country (or countries) to pay for losses and damages incurred from the war.

Schlieffen’s Plan – The plan made by German general Alfred von Schlieffen for fighting
a two-front war (against the British and French in the West and Russians in the East).

Somme – A nearly 6-month battle in France in 1917.

Treaty of Versailles – The peace treaty that finally ended World War I. It took place in
Paris, France. The treaty did a number of things: (1) it made Germany take full
responsibility for the War, (2) it required Germany to disarm and significantly reduce its
military so that it could never start another war, (3) it made Germany’s borders smaller
and forced Germany to give up its overseas colonies, (4) it required Germany to make
reparation (payments to the Allies) for the War.

Tsar – The Russian word for “king”. It comes from the Greek word “Caesar” (ruler).

Vimy Ridge – A region in France where the Canadians fought a 3-day battle in 1917 for
control of the high ground (ridge) that the Germans held. In capturing Vimy Ridge, the
Canadians lost 10 602 soldiers.

Western Front – Where the Germans fought the British and the French in the west.

Ypres (Battle) – A region of Belgium (West Flanders) that hosted one of the largest
battles of World War I. It was here that the Canadians earned their reputation as fierce
fighters upon their arrival.