Austro-Hungarian Empire German Empire Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Bulgaria Derived from the location of these powers.

United Kingdom France Russian Empire Italy United States entered as an “associated power.”

Unterseeboot or “Undersea boat” German submarine mostly used to enforce blockades and attack cargo ships supplying Britain and France.

On 7 May 1915, a German U-Boat sank the liner RMS Lusitania with a single torpedo hit, although it is debated whether a second explosion was due to flammable cargo or another torpedo. The sinking claimed 1,198 lives, 128 of them American civilians. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany, contributed to the American entry into World War I and became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought.

A type of naval warfare in which submarines sink merchantmen without warning. Germany sank the Lusitania, the Arabic, and the Sussex before they agreed to end U-boat attacks on merchant ships.

Germany promised to spare all lives in any future U-boat attacks on merchant ships with the condition that the United States would force Britain to end its blockade. Wilson accepted the pledge but NOT the condition.

Americans were worried that America would be pulled into war with Germany and it would not be ready. Led by former president Teddy Roosevelt, he toured the country promoting preparedness. Many newspapers called for an army of a million trained men and a larger navy. Many saw preparedness as preparedness for peace, not war and this promise of peace helped to re-elect Wilson.

In February 1917, Britain had gotten a hold of a note sent in code by the German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German minister in Mexico. Zimmerman suggested that if the U.S. entered the war, Mexico and Germany should become allies Germany would help Mexico regain its lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The Zimmerman note created anti- German feelings across the United States.

28th President of the United States, from 1913 to He was a leader in the Progressive movement by advocating for child labor laws, shorter work days, and suffrage for women. He based his re-election campaign around the slogan, "He kept us out of war", but U.S. neutrality was challenged. In April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war.

On the home front in 1917, he began the United States' first draft since the American Civil War, borrowed billions of dollars in war funding through the newly established Federal Reserve Bank and Liberty Bonds, set up the War Industries Board, promoted labor union cooperation, supervised agriculture and food production through the Lever Act, took over control of the railroads, and suppressed anti-war movements. I

In 1918, he issued his Fourteen Points, his view of a post-war world that could avoid another terrible conflict. In 1919, he went to Paris to create the League of Nations and shape the Treaty of Versailles, with special attention on creating new nations out of defunct empires. The U.S. never joined the League (the pre-curser to the United Nations) but for his sponsorship of the League of Nations, Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.

A strong feeling of pride in a loyalty to a nation or ethnic group. Nationalism led some European powers to put national interest first, regardless of the consequences for other countries or people.

A policy of glorifying military power and values. When Germany modernized its navy, Britain and other powers felt they had to do the same. Soon every nation in Europe was in full-scale military buildup.

A country inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness. A nation waging war.

Deadlock. By the end of 1914, the war on the western front had turned into a long bloody stalemate. Neither side was able to knock out its enemies, and yet neither side was willing to sue for peace.

Campaigns designed by nations to whip up support for their side. Information or rumor spread by a group or government to promote its own cause or ideas or to damage an opposing cause or idea. The information in propaganda may or may not be accurate. It is meant to persuade others to take action.