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It set off a chain reaction due to the complex system of alliances and existing tensions in Europe. The assassination of the Austrian heir by a Serbian nationalist led Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, which resulted in a declaration of war and triggered a series of mobilizations among allied nations, ultimately turning a regional conflict into a global war. -
To insulate the United States from foreign conflicts and prevent the country from being drawn into another global war. -
It halted Germany's rapid advance into France and shattered its plan for a quick victory in World War I. -
It killed 128 Americans, enraging the U.S. public and escalating tensions with Germany, and it contributed to the U.S. entry into World War I in 1917. The event also challenged existing international laws of warfare by showing the dangers of unrestricted submarine warfare, which was an effective new tactic of modern war, and it was used as a powerful propaganda tool by both sides to sway public opinion. -
Its strategic and symbolic value, the devastating attrition it represented for both sides, and its lasting impact on French national identity. -
It led directly to the Sussex Pledge, in which Germany agreed to alter its submarine warfare policies to avoid harming civilians and to provide warning before sinking non-military ships. This temporary halt in unrestricted submarine warfare was an attempt by Germany to keep the United States from entering World War I, a goal it eventually abandoned. The resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 was a major factor in the U.S. declaring war on Germany. -
Its immense human cost, which made it a symbol of the brutality of trench warfare, and its strategic significance, which included introducing tanks and forcing a German strategic retreat to the Hindenburg Line. -
It inflamed American public opinion against Germany, contributing to the U.S. decision to enter World War I in 1917. Intercepted and decoded by the British, the telegram proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico to attack the United States if the U.S. entered the war. This revelation exposed Germany's aggressive intentions and a direct threat to American security, turning a major point of contention in the debate over intervention. -
A critical turning point in World War I, as its goal to cripple Britain's supply lines ultimately led to the United States entering the war on the Allied side -
It served as a crucial turning point for the Allies, providing the military power, supplies, and financial support that were vital for victory. The arrival of American troops helped tip the balance on the Western Front, and the infusion of U.S. loans prevented the Allies from collapsing under their financial strain. This also cemented the U.S. as a major global power and led to the establishment of President Wilson's vision for a postwar world order.