Key Terms of World War I and the Russian Revolution
Key Terms: World War I and Russian Revolution
Armistice
End of military operations in a war. Equivalent to a cease-fire before the signing of peace treaties.
Bolshevik
A faction that split from the Russian Social Democratic Party in 1903. They advocated for a party led by a disciplined elite to educate and guide the masses. Their leader was Lenin.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
A proposal presented by President Woodrow Wilson to the U.S. Congress in early 1918, outlining ideas for a lasting and just peace. Although intended to inspire peace treaties, the vengeful attitudes of other political leaders compromised the proposal, favoring the victors.
Duma
A representative assembly created in 1906 by Tsar Nicholas II, possessing independent legislative power. However, the Tsar retained the power to veto their laws.
War Economy
An economic policy implemented by various governments during World War I, where all economic activity was coordinated by the state to serve the war effort. Governments planned production, coordinated private companies, rationed food, distributed the workforce, and tightly controlled trade.
Central Empires
The coalition during World War I consisting of Germany and Austria-Hungary, named for their central position in Europe and their political system. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire later joined this alliance.
Kolkhoz
An agricultural cooperative where land belonged to the state, which controlled production. Farmers had the right to use the land and were allowed to own private property such as housing and a small plot.
Mensheviks
A faction that split from the Russian Social Democratic Party in 1903. They advocated for a mass party model and collaboration with the bourgeoisie. Their leader was Plekhanov.
New Economic Policy (NEP)
A business plan initiated in March 1921, establishing a mixed economy. Agriculture, retail, and small businesses were in the private sector. Collectives were broken up, wages replaced compulsory labor, piecework was permitted, and concessions were made, including the right to inheritance.
Schlieffen Plan
Germany’s attack strategy, envisioning a two-stage military action: first, the western front, then the east. The plan involved attacking France through neutral Belgium and Luxembourg while maintaining a defensive position on the eastern front, anticipating slow Russian mobilization due to infrastructure and military organization shortcomings. After defeating the French army, the bulk of the Germanic forces would be directed against the Russian Empire.
League of Nations
An international organization created in 1920 under President Wilson’s inspiration to regulate international relations and safeguard peace. Its objectives were to peacefully resolve conflicts among member countries, monitor international treaties, promote disarmament, and administer colonial territories.
Tcheka
The Soviet secret police created to combat counterrevolution, sabotage, and speculation.
Triple Alliance
The initial name of the coalition composed of the German Empire and Austria-Hungary, initiated by Otto von Bismarck, later joined by Italy.
Triple Entente
An alliance formed by the Franco-Russian alliance in 1893, the Franco-British Entente Cordiale of 1904, and the Anglo-Russian agreement of 1907.
Tsarism
The absolute and autocratic regime prevailing in Russia until 1917, dominated by the Tsar, the Emperor of Russia.