The Causes of U.S. Entry into WWI

Part 1

Prussia

German state that unified Germany in 1871.

Triple Alliance

Military alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.

Franco-Russian Alliance

Alliance between France and Russia against Germany.

Triple Entente

Alliance of Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Nationalism

Intense pride for one's homeland in Europe.

Self-determination

Right of nations to govern themselves.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

His assassination triggered World War I.

Stalemate

Prolonged deadlock in trench warfare.

Central Powers

Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.

American Neutrality

U.S. policy to avoid involvement in WWI.

Propaganda

Information to influence public opinion.

Lusitania

British ship sunk by Germany, killing 1,200.

U-boats

German submarines used in naval warfare.

Sussex Pledge

Germany's promise to stop sinking merchant ships.

Zimmermann Telegram

Proposal for Mexico to ally with Germany.

Selective Service

System for drafting soldiers into military service.

Discrimination in Army

Prejudice faced by African American soldiers.

Women in WWI

First war with official female military service.

Cooperative Economy

Partnership between government and business during mobilization.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's policy of sinking ships without warning.

American Prosperity

Tied to Allied victory through loans.

Balkan Crisis

National groups sought independence from empires.

Arms Race

Competition for military superiority between nations.

Military Recruitment

Efforts to increase soldier numbers for war.