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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. -
Its provision for a draft system, which allows the U.S. government to quickly and fairly raise a large military in times of national emergency, such as a major war -
Its safeguards national security by criminalizing the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive defense information and provides legal tools for prosecuting espionage and sabotage. -
Its fresh troops and resources helped to shift the momentum of World War I, leading to key Allied victories like the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and ultimately contributing to the war's end. -
A blueprint for peace that aimed to end World War I with a just and lasting settlement, promoting concepts like open diplomacy, free trade, national self-determination, and creating the League of Nations for collective security. -
Its staggering death toll, which killed more people than World War I, leading to a significant drop in life expectancy and impacting economies worldwide. -
It allowed Germany to move troops to the Western Front, increasing pressure on the Allies and intensifying the fighting there. The withdrawal also led to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which granted Germany large territories and resources, and it enabled the Bolsheviks to focus on consolidating their power after the Russian Revolution. The event ultimately contributed to a power vacuum in Eastern Europe and influenced future conflicts. -
It was a major early test of the First Amendment, limiting free speech and press by criminalizing "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government. -
Its critical role in ending World War I, demonstrating the strength of the U.S. Army, and establishing America's position as a major global power. -
It marked the end of fighting in World War I, leading to subsequent peace negotiations and the official end of the war with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. -
To officially end World War I, create a new international order, and establish the terms of peace.