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it was the spark that ignited World War I, revealing the fragility of peace in a tense, militarized, and divided Europe. It didn’t cause the war alone, but it triggered the deadly machinery of alliances and rivalries already in place. -
American neutrality in WWI was crucial because it helped maintain domestic unity, preserved U.S. resources, and allowed the country to act as a future peace broker — while ultimately setting the stage for a powerful and decisive intervention that helped end the war. -
The Battle of the Marne was a decisive Allied victory that stopped the German invasion of France, ruined Germany’s plan for a quick win, and led to years of trench warfare. It changed the entire nature of World War I and set the stage for a long, drawn-out conflict. -
The sinking of the Lusitania was important because it caused the deaths of American civilians, turned U.S. public opinion against Germany, and helped push the United States closer to joining World War I. It symbolized the dangers of modern warfare and the difficulty of staying neutral in a global conflict. -
The Battle of Verdun was important because it became a symbol of French resistance, exposed the horrors and futility of trench warfare, and weakened the German army. Although neither side gained much territory, the psychological and human toll shaped the rest of World War I. -
The Sussex Incident was important because it further damaged U.S.–German relations, led to the Sussex Pledge (a promise from Germany to limit submarine warfare), and showed how close the U.S. was to entering WWI. When Germany later broke that pledge, it helped push the U.S. into the war. -
The Battle of the Somme was important because it highlighted the brutality and futility of trench warfare, inflicted massive losses, and weakened the German army, though at a terrible cost. It also marked a shift in war tactics and technology, and deeply affected public morale and military thinking. -
The Zimmermann Telegram was important because it revealed Germany’s attempt to bring Mexico into the war against the U.S., directly leading to American involvement in World War I. Its exposure united American public opinion against Germany and marked a turning point in the war. -
Unrestricted submarine warfare was important because it aimed to cripple Britain but ended up provoking the United States to enter World War I. It changed naval warfare, escalated the conflict, and helped turn the tide in favor of the Allies. -
The United States' entry into World War I was important because it boosted the Allied war effort, helped defeat Germany, and marked the rise of the U.S. as a global power. It also influenced the shape of the post-war peace and changed the course of world history. -
The Selective Service Act was important because it allowed the United States to quickly build a large army for World War I, helped ensure a fair and organized draft, and marked a major shift in how the U.S. prepared for war, laying the groundwork for future military mobilization. -
The Espionage Act was important because it gave the U.S. government the power to limit anti-war activity and speech during World War I, helped suppress dissent, and led to key legal decisions about the limits of free speech. It also expanded federal power during wartime — a legacy that still affects U.S. law today. -
The American Expeditionary Force was important because it gave the Allies fresh strength, helped win critical battles, and marked the United States’ emergence as a global military power. Its role was key in defeating Germany and ending World War I. -
The Fourteen Points were a statement of principles for peace that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson outlined in a speech to the U.S. Congress on January 8, 1918. They were meant to serve as a basis for ending World War I and creating a fair and lasting peace. -
the Spanish Flu was a tragic event that had a profound and lasting impact on public health, society, and global awareness of pandemics. -
Russia’s withdrawal reshaped the military, political, and geographic landscape of the war and had far-reaching consequences for global politics in the decades that followed. -
the Sedition Act played a key role in shaping U.S. policies on free speech and government authority during times of conflict -
the Battle of Argonne Forest was crucial in bringing about the end of WWI and solidifying the U.S. role as a major world military power. -
Armistice Day is important because it marks the cessation of one of history’s deadliest wars and the start of a new, albeit complicated, world order -
The Paris Peace Conference and Treaty of Versailles were crucial in ending WWI, reshaping the political map, and attempting to create a framework for lasting peace—though they also laid the groundwork for future tensions and conflicts.