World War I

M.A.I.N.

The acronym representing the main causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism.

Militarism

The build-up of military forces and the glorification of war, along with new military technologies.

Alliances

Agreements between countries to support one another in case of attack, leading to the division of sides into Allies and Central Powers.

Imperialism

Competition among nations for colonies, leading to conflicts and wars over territory.

Nationalism

A strong identification with one's nation, often resulting in territorial disputes, as seen in the French-German border conflicts.

Immediate Cause of WWI

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which triggered the war.

The Battle of the Marne

A costly Allied victory in September 1914 that marked a significant early engagement in WWI.

Battle of Verdun

A long and deadly battle fought in 1916 with significant casualties on both sides.

The Somme

A brutal battle from July to November 1916 with over 1 million casualties.

Battle of Tannenberg

A major defeat for Russia during World War I.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

A peace treaty signed by Lenin's government that ended Russia's involvement in World War I.

Sinking of the Lusitania

A significant event in 1915 where a German U-boat sank a British passenger ship, leading to public outrage in the U.S.

Zimmerman Telegram

A secret proposal from Germany to Mexico for an alliance against the U.S., which heightened American public outrage.

The Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's proposal for peace after World War I, conflicting with European leaders who wanted to punish Germany.

The Treaty of Versailles

The treaty that ended World War I, requiring Germany to accept full responsibility for the war and imposing reparations.

The Mandate System

A system established by the League of Nations in which Great Britain and France divided up territories in the Middle East.