100+ World War 1 Trivia Questions and Answers for History Buffs

Have you ever been at a family gathering or classroom setting where the conversation starts to lull? Well, I’ve found that throwing in some trivia questions about important historical events like World War 1 can really liven things up! I remember hosting a history-themed game night with friends last year, and the WWI questions sparked some of the most interesting discussions of the evening.

That’s why I’ve put together this collection of 100+ World War 1 trivia questions and answers. They’re perfect for history buffs, students, teachers, or anyone looking to test their knowledge about one of the most significant conflicts in modern history. So let’s dive in and see how much you know about the Great War!

World War 1 trivia questions are more than just a fun way to pass the time—they’re an engaging method to learn about history while having a good time. My high school history teacher used to kick off each class with a quick WWI trivia question, and it got everyone excited to learn more. These questions can spark curiosity, prompt further research, and help solidify knowledge about this pivotal moment in world history.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for educational material, a history enthusiast wanting to test your knowledge, or just someone looking for interesting conversation starters, these WWI trivia questions will definitely come in handy!

Basic World War 1 Facts

Let’s start with some fundamental facts about World War 1. These questions cover the basics of the conflict, including its timeline, participating nations, and major events. I’ve included a mix of easy and more challenging questions to keep things interesting for everyone!

When did World War 1 begin? July 28, 1914

When did World War 1 end? November 11, 1918
What event triggered the start of World War 1? The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand? Gavrilo Princip

What was the name of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke’s wife who was also killed? Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
In which city did the assassination take place? Sarajevo
What country was Sarajevo in at the time? Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Austria-Hungary)

What alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire? The Central Powers
What alliance included Britain, France, and Russia? The Triple Entente (later Allied Powers)
Which country was the first to declare war in WWI? Austria-Hungary (declared war on Serbia)

When did the United States enter World War 1? April 6, 1917
What was World War 1 originally called before World War 2 happened? The Great War
What other name was commonly used for World War 1? The War to End All Wars

Which European neutral country remained neutral throughout the entire war? Spain
Approximately how many people (military and civilian) died in World War 1? About 16-20 million
Which country suffered the highest number of military deaths? Germany

Which country was known as the “sick man of Europe” before and during WWI? Ottoman Empire
What was the name of the 1915 agreement between Italy and the Allies? Treaty of London
Which two empires ceased to exist after World War 1? The Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire

What color were the uniforms of French soldiers at the beginning of the war? Bright blue coats and red pants

Explore more challenging questions to test your history knowledge with our collection of philosophical questions that will make you think deeply about historical events.

Key Figures of World War 1

World War 1 was shaped by many influential leaders, generals, and figures who made crucial decisions that affected the course of history. My grandfather was a huge history buff and always told me that understanding the people behind historical events makes them more relatable. Let’s test your knowledge of these key personalities!

Who was the German Kaiser during World War 1? Kaiser Wilhelm II
Who was the British monarch during World War 1? King George V
Who was the President of the United States for most of World War 1? Woodrow Wilson

Who was the leader of the Russian Empire when WWI began? Tsar Nicholas II
Which French general famously declared “They shall not pass” at Verdun? General Philippe Pétain
Who was the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces? General John J. Pershing

Which German general implemented the Schlieffen Plan? Helmuth von Moltke the Younger
Who was Britain’s First Lord of the Admiralty at the start of the war before becoming Prime Minister? Winston Churchill
Which German general was known as the “Hero of Tannenberg”? Paul von Hindenburg

Who was the Prime Minister of Britain when WWI began? H.H. Asquith
Who became British Prime Minister in 1916? David Lloyd George
Who was the German military leader who took control of the German war effort in 1916? General Erich Ludendorff

Which Central Powers general was known as the “Lion of the Carpathians”? Conrad von Hötzendorf
Who was the last emperor of Austria-Hungary? Charles I
Which nurse was executed by German authorities for helping Allied soldiers escape? Edith Cavell

Who was the famed Canadian pilot who shot down 72 enemy aircraft? Billy Bishop
Which German flying ace was known as the “Red Baron”? Manfred von Richthofen
Who led the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli? General William Birdwood

Who was the Ottoman War Minister during WWI? Enver Pasha
Who wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”? John McCrae

Looking to engage in deeper conversations about historical figures? Check out our deep topics to talk about collection for meaningful discussions.

Military Operations and Battles

The battles and military operations of World War 1 were unlike anything the world had seen before. I remember visiting some battlefields in France a few years ago, and standing in those preserved trenches really brought home the scale and horror of the conflict. These questions cover some of the most significant engagements of the war.

What was the name of the German plan to quickly defeat France before turning to Russia? Schlieffen Plan
What was the first major battle fought by British forces in the war? Battle of Mons

Which 1916 battle resulted in over 1 million casualties? The Battle of the Somme
What was the longest battle of World War 1? Battle of Verdun
Where did the disastrous Allied Gallipoli Campaign take place? Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey)

Which battle marked the first major use of tanks in warfare? Battle of Cambrai
What was the code name for the German spring offensive in 1918? Operation Michael
Which battle was fought in what is now Poland and resulted in a major German victory? Battle of Tannenberg

What naval battle was fought in 1916 between British and German fleets? Battle of Jutland
What were the series of battles fought along the Isonzo River between Italy and Austria-Hungary? The Twelve Battles of the Isonzo
What battle marked America’s first major engagement in the war? Battle of Cantigny

Which battle was known as “Hell in the Argonne”? Meuse-Argonne Offensive
What was the name of the fortified German defensive line on the Western Front? Hindenburg Line (or Siegfried Line)
Which battle saw the first major tank versus tank combat? Battle of Villers-Bretonneux

What battle resulted in the capture of Jerusalem by British forces? Battle of Jerusalem
Which 1917 offensive is also known as the “Nivelle Offensive”? Second Battle of the Aisne
What was the name of the battle where Canadian forces captured Vimy Ridge? Battle of Vimy Ridge

Which battle was nicknamed “The Devil’s Playground”? Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)
What was the last major German offensive of the war? Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht)
What battle featured the famous “Lost Battalion” of the U.S. 77th Division? Battle of the Argonne Forest

If you enjoy testing your knowledge, you’ll love our collection of space trivia questions and answers for another fascinating topic to explore.

Technology and Weapons

World War 1 was a turning point in military technology, with many modern weapons making their debut. I’ve always found it fascinating how this conflict changed warfare forever. Let’s see how much you know about the technological aspects of the Great War!

What poisonous gas was first used by German forces at the Second Battle of Ypres? Chlorine gas

What was the name of the German super-heavy artillery piece nicknamed “Big Bertha”? 42-cm kurze Marinekanone
What new military vehicle was introduced by the British at the Battle of the Somme? Tank
What was the first tank used in combat called? Mark I

Which country first used flamethrowers in WWI? Germany
What type of warfare dominated the Western Front? Trench warfare
What were small underground tunnels dug beneath enemy lines to place explosives called? Mines

What aircraft was nicknamed the “Fokker Scourge” in 1915? Fokker E.I
What British ship was the first purpose-built aircraft carrier? HMS Argus
What type of boat caused significant shipping losses for the Allies? U-boats (submarines)

What was the name given to early gas masks? Respirators
What German long-range artillery bombarded Paris from 75 miles away? Paris Gun
What weapon accounted for the majority of infantry casualties in WWI? Machine gun

What was the standard British infantry rifle? Lee-Enfield
What new form of aerial warfare emerged during WWI? Strategic bombing
What device invented during WWI allowed pilots to fire through propeller blades? Interrupter gear

What type of improvised weapon was commonly made from grenades attached to sticks? Potato masher
What were armored cars primarily used for in WWI? Reconnaissance
What communication technology became essential in the trenches? Field telephone

What protective headgear was introduced during WWI to reduce head wounds? Steel helmet

For more thought-provoking questions that challenge your knowledge, check out our collection of hypothetical questions that will spark interesting discussions.

The Home Front

The war wasn’t just fought on battlefields—it dramatically changed life at home too. My great-grandmother used to tell stories about how her family had to adapt during wartime. These questions explore how societies changed during this tumultuous period.

What was the name of the U.S. food program during WWI? Wheatless Wednesdays
What 1917 law gave the U.S. government broad powers to suppress opposition to the war? Espionage Act
What term described British men who did not volunteer for military service? Conscientious objectors

What was the main fuel that became scarce during the war? Coal
Which disease killed millions worldwide during and after WWI? Spanish Flu
What were women who worked in munitions factories often called due to their appearance? Canary Girls

What economic system did Germany adopt to manage resources during the war? War socialism
What were government-issued posters urging support for the war effort called? Propaganda posters
What were small pins given to men who weren’t in uniform to avoid accusations of cowardice? Lapel badges

What was introduced in Britain in 1916 to ensure adequate military manpower? Conscription
What was the period of food shortages in Germany called? Turnip Winter
What rationing system was introduced in Britain in 1918? Ration cards

What propaganda character was used to encourage Americans to buy war bonds? Uncle Sam
What did the British Defense of the Realm Act (DORA) primarily control? Civilian life and restrictions
What happened to daylight saving time during WWI? It was introduced to save fuel

What were civilian “Land Girls” primarily responsible for? Agricultural work
What system did the U.S. use to draft men into military service? Selective Service
What term described rich civilians who profited from war contracts? War profiteers

What were messages dropped from aircraft over enemy territory called? Propaganda leaflets
What occupation saw a huge increase in female workers during the war? Factory workers

For more engaging conversation topics with friends, explore our questions to ask your best friends collection for meaningful connections.

The End of the War and Its Aftermath

The conclusion of World War 1 set the stage for much of 20th-century history. I’ve always been fascinated by how this “war to end all wars” actually led to so many future conflicts. These questions cover the peace process and the legacy of the Great War.

Where was the armistice that ended fighting signed? In a railway carriage in Compiègne, France
On what date was the armistice signed? November 11, 1918

What time did the armistice take effect? 11:00 AM (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month)
What treaty formally ended the war with Germany? Treaty of Versailles
Where was the Paris Peace Conference held? Palace of Versailles

Who were the “Big Four” leaders at the Paris Peace Conference? Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando
What organization was created by the Treaty of Versailles to prevent future wars? League of Nations
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations? 132 billion gold marks

What German territory was placed under League of Nations control? Saar Basin
Which country lost the most territory as a result of WWI? Austria-Hungary (as it was dissolved)
Which new countries were created after WWI? Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

What was the name of Woodrow Wilson’s peace plan? Fourteen Points
Which key Wilson proposal was rejected by other Allied powers? Freedom of the seas
What clause in the Treaty of Versailles assigned blame for the war to Germany? War Guilt Clause (Article 231)

What was the maximum size of the German Army limited to after the war? 100,000 men
What type of German military vessel was scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919? The German High Seas Fleet
What political ideology gained popularity in Russia during and after the war? Communism

What term described the border states created between Germany and Russia? Cordon sanitaire
What happened to the Ottoman territories in the Middle East? They became mandates under British and French control
What term describes the disillusionment among writers and thinkers after the war? Lost Generation

If you’re interested in testing your knowledge in other areas, check out our common sense trivia questions for a fun challenge.

Lesser-Known Facts

Now let’s finish with some surprising and lesser-known facts about World War 1. I was shocked when I first learned some of these tidbits during a history podcast I love. These questions might surprise even the most dedicated history buffs!

What unusual pet did the Canadian 3rd Division adopt as a mascot? A black bear named Winnipeg (inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh)

What famous children’s author served as a British intelligence officer in WWI? A.A. Milne
Which future world leader worked as a chauffeur on the Western Front? Charles de Gaulle
What famous physicist helped develop sonar technology during WWI? Ernest Rutherford

What future Disney animator served in the Red Cross during WWI? Walt Disney
Which German fighter pilot had his entire plane painted red? Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron)
What was the “Angel of Mons”? An apparition reportedly seen by British soldiers

What future dictator was awarded the Iron Cross while serving in the German Army? Adolf Hitler
What strange phenomenon affected some soldiers after prolonged exposure to shelling? Shell shock (now known as PTSD)
What famous British mystery writer worked in a hospital dispensary during WWI? Agatha Christie

What famous football event took place during Christmas 1914? The Christmas Truce (with impromptu football matches)
What animal was used to detect poisonous gas in the trenches? Canaries
What was the “Turnip Winter”? The food shortage in Germany during 1916-1917

What was the first battle where all sides used aircraft? First Battle of the Marne
What unusual material was used to make German grenades by 1918? Concrete (due to metal shortages)

For more trivia fun, check out our collection of sports trivia questions that will test your knowledge of athletics and competitions.

Final Thoughts

Wow, that was quite a journey through one of history’s most pivotal conflicts! World War 1 dramatically reshaped our world in countless ways, and these trivia questions only scratch the surface of this complex historical event. Whether you’re a history buff, a student, or just curious about the past, I hope these questions have both entertained and educated you.

I’ve used these questions at family gatherings and with my history-loving friends, and they always spark interesting discussions and sometimes even friendly debates! How did you do? Were you surprised by any of the answers, or did you ace them all? I’d love to know which facts you found most surprising!

If you enjoyed testing your World War 1 knowledge, don’t forget to share these questions with friends and family who might appreciate a historical challenge. And remember, learning about history isn’t just about memorizing dates and names—it’s about understanding how past events continue to shape our world today.