World War I: Causes, Key Events, and Aftermath for Students

Militarism

The belief that a country should build a strong military and be prepared to use force. Before World War I, European nations increased their armies and navies, which created tension and helped lead to war.

Franz Ferdinand

The Archduke of Austria-Hungary whose assassination in 1914 by a Serbian nationalist sparked the beginning of World War I.

Western Front

The main battlefield in Western Europe during World War I, especially in France and Belgium. It became known for trench warfare, heavy casualties, and little movement.

Why did militarism increase tensions in Europe before World War I?

Militarism caused countries to build large armies and compete for military power, making nations more aggressive and prepared for war.

How did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to World War I?

His assassination triggered alliances between European nations, causing countries to declare war on one another.

Why was the sinking of the Lusitania important to the United States?

Americans were angered because civilians, including Americans, were killed by Germany's submarine attack.

How did unrestricted submarine warfare affect America's decision to enter the war?

Germany's attacks threatened American lives and trade, pushing the U.S. toward joining the Allies.

Why did the Zimmerman Note upset Americans?

Germany encouraged Mexico to attack the United States in exchange for land, which Americans viewed as a direct threat.

How did the Selective Service Act help the war effort?

It increased the size of the U.S. military through a draft.

What opportunities did World War I create for women?

Women gained jobs in factories, offices, and other industries, increasing their role in society.

How did the Great Migration change the United States?

It increased African American populations in Northern cities and changed culture, politics, and labor.

Why were the American Expeditionary Forces important?

Fresh American troops boosted Allied morale and helped defeat Germany.

What was Wilson hoping to achieve with the Fourteen Points?

Wilson wanted lasting peace, self-determination, open diplomacy, and international cooperation.

How did the Treaty of Versailles punish Germany?

Germany had to accept blame for the war, pay reparations, and reduce its military.

Why did Henry Cabot Lodge oppose the League of Nations?

He believed it might force the U.S. into foreign conflicts without Congress approving.

How did Henry Ford change American society?

Ford's assembly lines lowered car prices, increased production, and made automobiles affordable to average people.

Why was the Model T important?

It gave more Americans access to transportation and helped industries like steel, oil, and road construction grow.

How did buying on margin contribute to economic problems?

Investors borrowed money to buy stocks, which became risky when stock prices fell.

What was the purpose of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

Countries agreed to avoid using war to settle international disputes.

How did modernism challenge traditional beliefs?

Modernism promoted science and new cultural ideas that sometimes conflicted with religion and tradition.

Why did Prohibition lead to organized crime?

Illegal alcohol sales created opportunities for criminals and bootleggers to profit.

U-boats

German submarines used during World War I to attack enemy ships, including civilian and merchant vessels.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915. The deaths of many civilians, including Americans, increased anti-German feelings in the United States.

Zimmerman Note

A secret telegram from Germany to Mexico asking Mexico to ally with Germany against the United States. Britain intercepted it and gave it to the U.S., helping push America toward war.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Germany's policy of sinking any ship near enemy waters without warning. This endangered American ships and helped cause U.S. entry into World War I.

Selective Service Act

A 1917 law that created the military draft in the United States, requiring men to register for military service during World War I.

Conscientious objector

A person who refuses to fight in war because of religious or moral beliefs.

New opportunities for women

During World War I, many women entered jobs previously held by men, including factory and office work, helping expand women's roles in society.

Great Migration

The movement of hundreds of thousands of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities during and after World War I in search of jobs and better living conditions.

Vladimir Lenin

The leader of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia who established a communist government and withdrew Russia from World War I.

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

The American troops sent to Europe during World War I, led by General John J. Pershing.

Fourteen Points

President Woodrow Wilson's plan for peace after World War I. It promoted self-determination, free trade, arms reduction, and the creation of the League of Nations.

Self-determination

The idea that people of the same nationality should have the right to govern themselves and choose their own government.

Paris Peace Conference

The 1919 meeting where Allied leaders decided the terms of peace after World War I.

Big Four

The leaders of the United States, Britain, France, and Italy who dominated the Paris Peace Conference: Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando.

League of Nations

An international organization proposed by Wilson to help countries solve disputes peacefully and prevent future wars.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I. It blamed Germany for the war, forced Germany to pay reparations, and limited Germany's military.

Henry Cabot Lodge

A U.S. senator who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and feared the League of Nations would reduce American independence.

Reparations

Payments demanded from Germany after World War I to compensate for damages caused during the war.

Problems with the treaty

Many believed the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on Germany, causing anger and economic problems that later contributed to World War II.

Inflation

A rise in prices and a decrease in the value of money. After World War I, inflation made goods more expensive for Americans.

Creditor nation

A country that lends more money than it borrows. After World War I, the United States became the world's leading creditor nation.

Henry Ford

American automobile manufacturer who improved mass production and made cars affordable for average Americans.

Mass production

The manufacturing of large amounts of goods quickly and cheaply using machines and assembly lines.

Model T

Henry Ford's affordable automobile that changed transportation and American society.

Scientific management

A system developed to improve worker efficiency by carefully studying tasks and organizing work methods.

Assembly lines

A manufacturing process where products move from worker to worker, each completing one step, allowing goods to be made faster and cheaper.

Consumer revolution

The rapid increase in buying goods during the 1920s because of higher wages, advertising, and easier credit.

Bull market

A period when stock prices rise steadily and investors are confident.

Buying on margin

Purchasing stocks with borrowed money, hoping stock prices will continue to rise.

Warren G. Harding

President of the United States from 1921-1923 who promised a "return to normalcy" after World War I.

Andrew Mellon

Secretary of the Treasury during the 1920s who supported tax cuts and policies favoring business growth.

Business deregulation

The reduction of government rules and restrictions on businesses during the 1920s to encourage economic growth.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

A 1928 agreement in which countries promised not to use war to settle disputes.

Modernism

A movement in the 1920s that emphasized new scientific and cultural ideas rather than traditional beliefs.

Fundamentalism

A religious movement that believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and opposed many modern ideas.

Red Scare

A period of fear in the United States that communists and radicals would spread revolution after World War I.

Prohibition

The banning of alcohol production, sale, and transportation in the United States during the 1920s.

18th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that established Prohibition.

Bootleggers

People who illegally produced or sold alcohol during Prohibition.