World War I Overview Quiz

The belief that a nation should express the nationalism of a single ethnic group.

A system of alliances between European countries that obligated them to come to each other's aid in case of war.

The buildup of military forces and weapons in preparation for war.

The competition between European powers for control of colonies and resources in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

A type of warfare where soldiers fight from trenches dug into the ground, resulting in high casualties and a stalemate.

President Wilson's decision to prepare America for potential war with Germany, as tensions escalated.

This law expanded the size of the U.S. Army in anticipation of potential conflict.

This act authorized the construction of new warships, bolstering the U.S. Navy's strength.

German submarines that sank American ships during World War I, infuriating the American public.

A secret message from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the United States. Intercepted by British intelligence.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist, set off a chain reaction that led to the outbreak of World War I.

A complex network of treaties and agreements between European nations led to a domino effect, where an attack on one nation triggered a chain reaction, involving many countries in the war.

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia, demanding its submission, was rejected, resulting in Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, setting off the alliance system and ultimately starting World War I.

A new form of warfare that involved soldiers fighting from trenches, a system of dug-out lines, to protect themselves from new, powerful weapons like machine guns.

The US initially aimed to stay out of the war, but eventually joined due to factors like business interests, propaganda, and a growing public desire to oppose German aggression.