World War I Trivia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Zimmermann Note and unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany

The United States was drawn into World War I by both the Zimmermann Note and Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. The Zimmermann note was an encrypted telegram from the German Foreign Office to Mexico asking them to attack the U.S. It was intercepted by the British secret intelligence service and published.

At the same time, the use of unrestricted submarine warfare (as part of the German blockade of Britain) had by then already led to the sinking of five American ships in the Atlantic. There is debate as to the relative importance of this and the Zimmermann Note.

Answer: Blister gas

Mustard gas was considered the worst gas used. It would affect any exposed skin, making gas masks almost useless. It caused blisters to form both externally and internally if breathed in. The gas was odorless and remained afterwards in the soil, sometimes for several days.

Answer: The Spanish-American War

He received his nickname because of the black soldiers he commanded during the Spanish-American War. He fought with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders.

Answer: Tannenberg

Russia was trying to stop the German offensive with a mountain of human bodies. The Germans, under Hindenburg, helped Russia accomplish this by soundly defeating them at Tannenberg. The Russians did accomplish one thing, though. They gave France time to regroup at the Marne River and prepare for another German attack. Russia wasn't completely out of the war, though.

They stayed in until 1917.

Answer: Manfred von Richthofen

Richthofen was originally a cavalry officer in the German Army, but later left for the German Air Force in 1915. There has been much controversy about who actually shot him down: it is widely believed that he was hit by ground fire. He held the highest kill count of any fighter pilot in World War One.

Answer: 80

The closest American Ace was Eddie Rickenbacker, with 26.

Answer: Submarine warfare

Germany warned the U.S. not to have citizens aboard any British or French ships, but the U.S. did not listen and American civilians were killed as a result.

Answer: Battle of the Marne

The battle of Verdun did prevent Germany from taking Paris, but this battle happened in 1916, not 1914. During the Battle of the Marne, the allies were led by Joffre (France), Gallieni (France), and Sir John French (ironically, English). There was also a second Battle of the Marne that was in 1918.

Answer: Doughboys and Yanks

The term "Doughboy" is thought to be linked to the American-Mexican War (1847), but nobody is quite sure how.

Answer: Ferdinand Foch

France had the most casualties of the war because most of the war was fought in France. Available records are incomplete, but it is estimated that 5,920,650 French soldiers were dead, wounded, or missing.