WWI Causes, Alliances, and U.S. Involvement: Key Terms and Events

Militarism

The belief that a nation should maintain a strong military and be ready to use it to defend or promote its interests; led to an arms race in Europe.

Alliances

Agreements between nations to support each other; helped turn small conflicts into a world war when allied countries were pulled in.

Imperialism

Stronger nations taking over weaker ones for resources and power; caused competition and tension between European powers.

Nationalism

Intense pride in one's nation or ethnic group; caused countries to act aggressively and groups within empires to seek independence.

Triple Alliance

Pre-WWI alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

Pre-WWI alliance of France, Britain, and Russia.

Neutral

A nation that does not take sides in a war (e.g., the U.S. until 1917).

Gavrilo Princip

Serbian nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, sparking WWI.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915; killed 128 Americans and increased U.S. anger toward Germany.

Zimmermann Telegram

Secret 1917 message from Germany to Mexico offering an alliance against the U.S.; its interception helped push the U.S. into WWI.

Propaganda

Biased information used to influence people's opinions; used heavily during WWI to support the war effort.

Centenary

The 100-year anniversary of an event (e.g., the centenary of WWI in 2014).

Europe-centric

Focused mainly on Europe; common critique of older WWI histories that ignored non-European contributions.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The last German emperor whose aggressive policies helped lead to WWI.

Doughboys

Nickname for American soldiers in WWI.

Meuse-Argonne region

Site of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest American military operation of WWI (1918).

Black Jack Pershing

General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in WWI.

Espionage Act (1917)

U.S. law that punished spying, interfering with the draft, or obstructing the war effort.

Sedition Act (1918)

Amendment to the Espionage Act that punished speaking out against the government or war.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919)

Supreme Court case that ruled free speech can be limited during wartime ("clear and present danger" test).