Civics Test Question 101: Why did the United States enter World War I?

A question from the 2025 civics test, with the answers USCIS publishes and our explanation.

Translation

101

Why did the United States enter World War I?美国为什么参加第一次世界大战？¿Por qué entró Estados Unidos en la Primera Guerra Mundial?

Official answers

Any one of these is correct.

Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships因为德国攻击了美国（民用）船只Porque Alemania atacó barcos (civiles) de EE. UU.
To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)为了支持协约国（英国、法国、意大利和俄国）Para apoyar a las Potencias Aliadas (Inglaterra, Francia, Italia y Rusia)
To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)为了对抗同盟国（德国、奥匈帝国、奥斯曼帝国和保加利亚）Para oponerse a las Potencias Centrales (Alemania, Austria-Hungría, el Imperio otomano y Bulgaria)

Explanation

The United States entered World War I in 1917 mainly because Germany attacked U.S. ships, including civilian ships. It joined the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy and Russia) against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria).

Memory tip

💡 Easiest: Germany attacked U.S. ships.

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