Question

please provide a definition for each of the vocabulary words as they pertain to world war i and the us involvement in wwi.

1. neutrality:
2. the lusitania:
3. the zimmermann telegram:
4. woodrow wilson:
5. the selective service act:
6. the american expeditionary force:
7. “black jack” pershing:
8. the triple entente:
9. the central powers:
10. committee on public information (cpi):
11. trench warfare:
12. no man’s land:
13. 1918 armistice:

Explanation:

1. Neutrality: The state of not taking sides in a conflict. At the start of WWI, the US adopted a policy of neutrality, avoiding involvement in the European - wide war.
2. The Lusitania: A British ocean - liner sunk by a German U - boat in 1915. The sinking, which killed many Americans, helped turn US public opinion against Germany.
3. The Zimmermann Telegram: A secret German diplomatic communication intercepted by the British. It proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the US, which further pushed the US towards war.
4. Woodrow Wilson: The 28th President of the US. He initially sought to keep the US out of WWI but later led the US into the war and proposed the Fourteen Points for post - war peace.
5. The Selective Service Act: A 1917 US law that required men to register for military conscription, enabling the US to build a large army for WWI.
6. The American Expeditionary Force: The US military forces sent to Europe to fight in WWI under the command of General John J. Pershing.
7. "Black Jack" Pershing: A prominent US Army general who commanded the American Expeditionary Force in WWI.
8. The Triple Entente: An alliance of France, Russia, and Britain during WWI, which the US eventually sided with.
9. The Central Powers: An alliance of Germany, Austria - Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during WWI, which were the opponents of the US when it entered the war.
10. Committee on Public Information (CPI): A US government agency during WWI that was responsible for promoting the war effort through propaganda and public education.
11. Trench Warfare: A type of combat in which opposing troops fought from trenches, a common feature of the Western Front in WWI.
12. No Man's Land: The area between the opposing trenches in WWI, which was dangerous to cross due to enemy fire.
13. 1918 Armistice: An agreement that ended the fighting in WWI on November 11, 1918.

Answer:

1. The state of not taking sides in a conflict.
2. A British ocean - liner sunk by a German U - boat in 1915.
3. A secret German diplomatic communication intercepted by the British.
4. The 28th President of the US who led the US into WWI and proposed the Fourteen Points.
5. A 1917 US law that required men to register for military conscription.
6. The US military forces sent to Europe to fight in WWI.
7. A prominent US Army general who commanded the American Expeditionary Force in WWI.
8. An alliance of France, Russia, and Britain during WWI.
9. An alliance of Germany, Austria - Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during WWI.
10. A US government agency during WWI responsible for promoting the war effort through propaganda.
11. A type of combat in which opposing troops fought from trenches.
12. The area between the opposing trenches in WWI.
13. An agreement that ended the fighting in WWI on November 11, 1918.