Question 1

What event galvanized the cause of Irish nationalism during World War I?

Accepted Answer

The execution of the leaders of the Easter Rebellion in 1916, including the nationalist leader Padraig Pearse, was a turning point in Irish nationalism. It led to a surge in support for the cause of Irish independence, and the rebellion became a symbol of resistance against British rule.

Question 2

World War I saw the first use of many new weapons.One of these,poison gas,was particularly devastating due to its:

Accepted Answer

Poison gas had both physical effects such as burning skin and lungs, as well as psychological effects like causing panic and fear among soldiers.

Question 3

Great Britain fought against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East where the most crucial advantage in its victory over the Turks was:

Accepted Answer

The support of various Arab peoples seeking independence from the Turks was a crucial advantage for Great Britain in its victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. The Arab Revolt, led by figures such as T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), weakened the Ottoman war effort and diverted resources away from the main British offensive. The Arab forces also served as useful allies for the British, providing valuable intelligence and support during battles.

Question 4

How did the Balfour Declaration affect the postwar policies of the Middle East?

Accepted Answer

The Balfour Declaration was a statement issued by the British government in 1917 that expressed support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. This declaration had significant ramifications for the postwar policies of the Middle East, as it created tension between the Jewish and Arab populations in the region, and contributed to the eventual establishment of the state of Israel. It did not directly affect the policies of Egypt, Trans-Jordan, or the division of the Ottoman Empire.

Question 5

In the 1890s Germany had developed a plan to fight a two-front war called the:

Accepted Answer

The Schlieffen Plan was developed by Count Alfred von Schlieffen in the 1890s as a military strategy to fight a two-front war against France and Russia. The plan called for a quick defeat of France by attacking through Belgium and then turning east to face Russia. Although the plan was ultimately unsuccessful in World War I, it had a significant impact on the course of the war and the development of military strategy.

Question 6

The assassination of Franz Ferdinand precipitated the "July Crisis" and led to World War I because he was:

Accepted Answer

Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. His assassination by a Bosnian-Serb nationalist on June 28, 1914, served as the immediate cause of the "July Crisis" and the subsequent declaration of war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. This then led to the involvement of other major powers and the outbreak of World War I.

Question 7

In the years preceding World War I,Europe was divided into two groups of nation-states united by treaty.Germany,Austria-Hungary,and Italy were opposed by Russia,France,and Great Britain,who were known collectively as the:

Accepted Answer

The Triple Entente was the alliance formed between Russia, France, and Great Britain in 1907, prior to World War I. They were united by a mutual distrust of Germany and the desire to maintain the balance of power in Europe. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the alliance system in Europe leading up to World War I.

Question 8

The bloodiest battles of World War I occurred during 1916-1917,with the first of these being fought at:

Accepted Answer

The bloodiest battle of World War I occurred at Verdun, France in 1916.

Question 9

In the five months of the First Battle of the Somme,the total casualties totaled approximately:

Accepted Answer

The First Battle of the Somme, fought from July to November 1916, resulted in approximately 1,000,000 casualties, including both dead and wounded, from both the Allied and Central Powers.

Question 10

On June 28,1914:

Accepted Answer

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by a member of a Serbian nationalist secret society, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I.

Question 11

The German army,in the early days of the war,won a stunning victory over the Russians at the battle of:

Accepted Answer

The German army won the battle of the Masurian Lakes in September 1914, which was a major victory early in the war. The other options either occurred later in the war or did not involve the Russian army.

Question 12

Although the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary had ethnic problems within many of its provinces,the most volatile of all proved to be within the province of:

Accepted Answer

The province of Bosnia had a diverse population consisting of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Serbs, and Croats, and tensions between these groups would eventually lead to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the start of World War I. The other provinces listed also had ethnic tensions, but they were not as significant to the eventual outbreak of the war.

Question 13

Military planners preparing for war in 1914 believed that the war would be short,limited,and decisive,basing their success on the twin ideas of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Military planners preparing for war in 1914...

Question 14

The nations of Europe,following the assassination at Sarajevo,embarked on five weeks of what has since been characterized as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nations of Europe,following the assassination at...

Question 15

What was the public motive for Britain's declaration of war in 1914?

Accepted Answer

The public motive for Britain's declaration of war in 1914 was the German invasion of neutral Belgium. This prompted Britain to declare war on Germany, which was seen as a violation of international law and an attack on British interests. Britain had pledged to protect Belgian neutrality, and thus saw the German invasion as a direct threat to its own security. This was a key factor in the decision to go to war.

Question 16

The German "Schlieffen Plan" envisioned a:

Accepted Answer

The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy developed before WWI that called for a swift and decisive attack against France by quickly sweeping through neutral Belgium and encircling Paris. The idea was to knock out France before turning to face the slower-moving Russian army in the east.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the British action at Gallipoli?

Accepted Answer

The British action at Gallipoli was a botched amphibious landing in Turkey that failed to "force" the sea route to Russia. The campaign was plagued by poor planning, supply shortages, and fierce Turkish resistance, resulting in heavy losses for the Allies. The ultimate goal was to use the sea route to provide aid to Russia, but this was not achieved.

Question 18

The action that brought the German plan of attack in the West to an end in September 1914 was the:

Accepted Answer

The First Battle of the Marne was a key moment in World War I, as it marked the end of the German plan of attack in the West. The battle, fought in September 1914, saw the Allies (mainly French and British troops) successfully counter-attacking against the German advance towards Paris. The Germans were forced to retreat and dig in, ending their chances of a quick victory in the West.

Question 19

Which weapon was considered the best bet to break the stalemate on the Western Front?

Accepted Answer

The tank was considered the best bet to break the stalemate on the Western Front because it could cross difficult terrain, withstand machine gun fire, and provide cover for infantry. Its introduction in 1916 had a significant impact on the war by destroying enemy machine gun nests and trenches, allowing for breakthroughs in previously static fronts.

Question 20

Describing the outcome of the major battles of 1916-1917,one Allied veteran stated:

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects the reality of the stalemate on the Western Front during this period. The major battles, such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun, resulted in large numbers of casualties for both sides but did not decisively end the war. This view that the war had taken on a life of its own and was unlikely to be won by either side was a common sentiment among veterans and civilians alike.

Quiz 24: The First World War