| Term | Definition |
|---|
| The Great War | Known as World War I and the War to End All Wars: a global military conflict that embroiled most of the world's great powers from 1914 to 1919. |
| Alliances | Formal pacts or unions between nations: one of the long term causes of World War I. |
| Nationalism | Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular country: one of the long term causes of World War I. |
| Militarism | Policy of maintaining a strong military, capable of defending or promoting national interests: one of the long term causes of World War I. |
| Imperialism | The economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker nations: one of the long term causes of World War I. |
| Assassination | The targeted killing of a public figure. |
| Neutrality | A stance or policy of not supporting or favoring either side in a war or conflict. |
| Franz Ferdinand | Archduke of Hungary whose assassination precipitated World War I. |
| Propaganda | Spreading of ideas or materials aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of people. |
| Committee on Public Information | Agency headed by George Creel which intended to influence U.S. public opinion regarding American intervention in World War I. |
| Monroe Doctrine | United States policy introduced in1823 with the intent of keeping European influences out of the Western Hemisphere, and in turn, the United States would not intervene in European affairs. |
| American Expeditionary Force | Title for the American military fighting in Europe during World War I. |
| Zimmerman Note | Coded telegram dispatched by Germany to the German ambassador in Mexico: proposed a military alliance against the United States and announced the renewal of unrestricted submarine warfare. |
| Unrestricted Submarine Warfare | Type of naval warfare in which submarines attack and sink merchant ships without warning. |
| Sussex Pledge | Promise made in 1916 during World War I by Germany to the U.S. that passenger ships would not be targeted and merchant ships would not be sunk without provision for the safety of passengers and crew. |
| Trench Warfare | A defense oriented warfare in which both sides constructed elaborate and heavily armed trench and dugout systems opposing each other along a front. |
| "No Man's Land" | Term for the field of battle between two opposing entrenched armies. |
| Blockade | The closing of an area by hostile forces to cut off trade and communications. |
| Convoy System | When merchant ships are accompanied by naval vessels for protection. |
| "Make the World Safe for Democracy" | Idealistic justification for United States entry into World War I by Woodrow Wilson in 1917. |
| "Kept us out of War" | Slogan during the election of 1916 justifying the reelection of Woodrow Wilson. |
| Fourteen Points | Plan presented by Woodrow Wilson to Congress in 1918 outlining his strategies to solve the problems which led to the outbreak of World War I and the prevention of future wars. |
| Selective Service Act | 1917 law providing for the registration of all American men between the ages of 21 and 30 (later changed to 18 and 45) for a military draft. |
| Food Administration | Agency headed by Herbert Hoover during World War I with the responsibility of increasing food production while decreasing civilian consumption. |
| Civilian | A person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces. |
| Treaty of Versailles (1919) | Created the terms of peace ending World War I: required Germany to accept blame for the war and pay reparations: established the League of Nations. |
| Bonds | Certificates that represent money the government has borrowed from private citizens to be repaid at a later date with interest. |
| War Industries Board | Agency established during World War I to coordinate the allocation of raw materials and the production of war supplies. |
| Civil Liberties | Basic freedoms of an individual, such as free speech, thought and action. |
| Schenck v. United States (1919) | United State Supreme Court decision limiting the first amendment right to free speech: established the "clear and present danger" clause. |
| Abrams v. United States (1919) | United States Supreme Court decision which upheld the Espionage Act, which made it illegal to curtail war production or the progress of war. |
| Espionage Act | 1917 legislation which established penalties and prison terms for anyone giving aid to the enemy. |
| Sedition Act | 1918 law making any public expression of opposition to the war illegal. |
| League of Nations | International peace keeping organization founded after World War I by the Treaty of Versailles. |
| Reparations | Monetary compensation intended to cover damage or injury. |
| Big Four | The dominant diplomatic figures at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference: Georges Clemenceau (France), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), David Lloyd George (United Kingdom), and Woodrow Wilson (United States). |
| Central Powers | World War I alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. |
| Allied Powers | World War I alliance including Russia, England, France, Italy, Japan, the United States and others. |
| Great Migration | Movement of 1.3 million African Americans out of the southern United States to the North and Midwest from 1915 to 1930. |
| Bolshevik Revolution | 1917 uprising in Russia led by Vladimir Lenin which established a communist government and withdrew Russia from World War I. |
| John J. Pershing | Led the American military in Europe during World War I. |
| Triple Entente | Pre World War I alliance of France, Russia and Britain. |
| Triple Alliance | Pre World War I alliance of Germany, Austria Hungary and Italy. |
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