Question 101: Why did the United States enter World War I?
Official answers (any one counts)
USCIS accepts any of these answers. If the question asks for more than one, give as many as it asks.
- Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
- To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
- To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
Grandpa explains
German submarines were sinking ships with civilians on board, kiddo. In 1917 the U.S. joined the war.
Careful: these are NOT the answer
These are the common mix-ups. The app uses them as traps so you practice.
- Because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor
- To stop the spread of communism
- To force Iraq out of Kuwait
Video lesson on this topic: The 1900s and Today
More questions on this topic
- 102When did all women get the right to vote?
- 103What was the Great Depression?
- 104When did the Great Depression start?
- 105Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
- 106Why did the United States enter World War II?
- 107Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
Official sources:
- USCIS · 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) ↗ · checked October 6, 2026
The plain explanation is ours; the official answers are USCIS's, word for word.