M.A.I.N. Causes
This acronym names the four long-term causes of World War I.
Hint: It’s a 4-letter word that means “most important
Answer: What is M.A.I.N.?
(Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism)
This event was the immediate “spark” that started World War I.
Hint: A famous assassination.
What is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
This was Germany’s early-war plan to win quickly.
Hint: It has a German name.
What is the Schlieffen Plan?
In 1914, President Wilson declared this U.S. policy.
Hint: Not taking sides.
What is Neutrality
Information meant to persuade people to think or act a certain way is called this.
Hint: Posters, speeches, media.
What is propaganda?
This “M” cause means glorifying war and building up armies and navies.
Hint- Think “arms race.”
What is Militarism?
This Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Hint: First name Gavrilo.
Who is Gavrilo Princip?
Germany’s plan was to defeat this country quickly first, then fight Russia.
Hint: Western Front first
What is France?
One key reason neutrality made sense in 1914: the U.S. was a nation of _____.
Hint: People from many European countries lived in America.
What are immigrants?
This propaganda goal tried to convince citizens to lend money to the government to fund the war.
Hint: “Buy” something.
What are war bonds?
This “A” cause means agreements between countries to protect each other.
Hint: It can cause a “chain reaction.”
What are Alliances?
After the assassination, this empire blamed Serbia and declared war—starting the chain reaction.
Hint: It ruled many different ethnic groups.
What is Austria-Hungary?
Germany planned to invade this neutral country to get around French defenses.
Hint: Britain cared a lot about its neutrality.
What is Belgium?
In 1915, a German U-boat sank this British passenger ship, killing 128 Americans.
Hint: Starts with “L.”
What is the Lusitania?
This propaganda technique portrays the enemy as evil, violent, or inhuman.
Hint: Makes people hate the enemy.
What is demonization.
This “I” cause is competition for colonies/territory to gain resources, trade, and power.
Hint: European empires fighting for land overseas.
What is Imperialism?
This is the reason alliances made a local conflict spread into a world war.
Hint: One war declaration pulled in more countries automatically.
What is the alliance chain reaction (countries were pulled in through commitments)?
Invading Belgium mattered because it helped bring this powerful country into the war.
Hint: An island nation with a strong navy.
What is Britain (Great Britain/United Kingdom)?
In 1916, Germany made this promise to stop sinking ships without warning.
Hint: It was meant to calm the U.S. down.
What is the Sussex Pledge?
A poster saying “SAVE FOOD FOR OUR SOLDIERS—EAT LESS WHEAT” fits this propaganda goal.
Hint: Less waste, more saving.
What is conservation/rationing?
This “N” cause is extreme pride in a nation OR ethnic groups wanting their own country, especially in the Balkans.
Hint: “We deserve our own nation.”
What is Nationalism?
Put the chain reaction in order: Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia, then these countries got pulled in next (name at least 3 correctly).
Hint: Serbia had support; Austria-Hungary had support; then Western allies joined.
What is Russia supported Serbia; Germany supported Austria-Hungary; then France and Britain were pulled in?
A complete test-ready description of the Schlieffen Plan must include these 3 parts.
Hint: France fast + Belgium + Russia later.
What is “defeat France quickly, march through Belgium, then turn to fight Russia”?
Name the two primary reasons the U.S. entered WWI in 1917.
What are Unrestricted Submarine Warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram?
For a CER paragraph arguing the U.S. was justified (or not), name two specific facts you could use as evidence from the unit.
Hint: Think 1917 reasons and/or Lusitania.
What are any two of: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare; Zimmermann Telegram (Texas/NM/AZ); Lusitania (128 Americans killed); economic ties to Allies?