7.5

What event triggered the outbreak of World War I?

The assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand.

What were the underlying causes of World War I?

Nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and a combination of public/secret alliances.

What was President Wilson's initial response to World War I?

He declared U.S. neutrality.

Which two powers were primarily involved in the naval blockade during World War I?

Britain and Germany.

What was the Lusitania?

A British passenger liner sunk by German torpedoes, leading to U.S. protests.

What was the Sussex Pledge?

Germany's promise not to sink unarmed merchant ships without warning.

What economic impact did World War I have on the United States?

The U.S. economy rebounded due to increased orders for war supplies from Britain and France.

What was the purpose of the Zimmermann Telegram?

It proposed that Mexico ally with Germany in exchange for the return of lost territories in the U.S.

How did the Russian Revolution affect U.S. involvement in World War I?

It removed the autocratic czar, aligning the Allies with a republic, making U.S. participation more acceptable.

What was Woodrow Wilson's vision for peace after World War I?

He aimed for 'peace without victory' and proposed the Fourteen Points.

What was included in Wilson's Fourteen Points?

Freedom of the seas, no secret treaties, disarmament, self-determination, and the establishment of the League of Nations.

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Punishment for Germany including disarmament, reparations, and loss of territories.

What was Wilson's fate regarding the Treaty of Versailles?

The Senate rejected the Treaty, and the U.S. never ratified it or joined the League of Nations.

What role did public opinion play in U.S. entry into World War I?

Many Americans sympathized with Britain and France due to shared democratic values and wartime propaganda.

Who were the Irreconcilables?

Republican senators who opposed U.S. membership in the League of Nations.

Why did Wilson embark on a speaking tour in 1919?

To rally public support for the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.

What ultimately led to the rejection of the Treaty of Versailles?

Partisan divisions and Wilson's refusal to compromise on the League of Nations.