Causes of US Entry into WWI

1917

Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliance Systems

Nationalism fueled competition between nations, imperialism intensified rivalry for colonies and resources, and militarism fostered a climate of suspicion and readiness for war.

<p>Two major alliances emerged: the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Great Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). These alliances obligated countries to defend each other if attacked, making it more likely that a regional conflict would escalate into a global war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The &quot;powder keg of Europe&quot; referred to the volatile region of the Balkans. Empires such as Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire desired to control the region due to its strategic location, diverse ethnicities, and potential for economic and political influence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist. This assassination was a major catalyst for the outbreak of WWI, as Austria-Hungary used it to launch a war against Serbia, escalating tensions and triggering a chain reaction of alliances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A stalemate is a situation in which neither side can achieve a decisive victory. Trench warfare in France during WWI resulted in a stalemate due to the heavy use of machine guns and artillery, which made it extremely difficult to advance and achieve breakthroughs. Both sides dug in and the fighting became static, leading to a long, bloody, and deadly conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trench warfare was brutal and horrific. Soldiers lived in cramped, muddy, and unsanitary conditions, constantly under threat of enemy fire. They faced shelling, poison gas attacks, and the psychological strain of living in constant fear and danger. The trenches were often infested with rats and diseases, and the constant fighting and exposure to the elements took a heavy toll on both physical and mental health.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The United States was divided on WWI. Some supported the war effort, believing in defending democratic values and defeating the Central Powers. Others, particularly German Americans and Irish Americans, held loyalties to their ethnic backgrounds and opposed the war. Some pacifists also opposed war on moral grounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The United States had a significantly larger amount of trade and bank lending with the Allies than with the Central Powers. This was due to a number of factors, including geographical proximity, existing trade relationships, and the fact that Britain controlled the seas and was able to effectively blockade Germany.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Lusitania, a British passenger liner, was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915. The tragedy killed over 100 American civilians. This event outraged public opinion in the United States and heightened tensions with Germany, bringing the country closer to entering the war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Arabic and the Sussex, both merchant ships, were attacked by German U-boats and sunk. These incidents further intensified tensions between the United States and Germany. In response to the sinking of the Sussex, Germany made promises to restrict its submarine warfare, but these promises were not consistently followed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Woodrow Wilson</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The two major factors were the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the Zimmerman Telegram, which exposed a German plan to enlist Mexico as a potential ally.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In 1917, Russia underwent a revolution that led to the overthrow of the Tsar and the establishment of the Bolshevik government. This event made it easier for President Wilson to justify the war by arguing that the United States was fighting for a world safe for democracy in the face of German and Bolshevik expansion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>General John J. Pershing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A mechanized war is one that relies heavily on machines and technology. WWI saw the introduction of new weapons and technologies such as tanks, airplanes, machine guns, poison gas, and submarines. These innovations changed the nature of warfare, making it more destructive and impersonal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>11:00 am on November 11, 1918</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Germany sought to cut off Britain's supply lines by targeting all ships, believing that this would force Britain to negotiate peace.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>This act established conscription, requiring all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to register for military service, and drafting millions of American men into the armed forces.</p> Signup and view all the answers