The Great War test

What was the name of the American army in France, and who was its supreme commander?

American Expeditionary Force, General John J Pershing

What was the main purpose of the AEF mobilization effort

transport great numbers of troops and supplies quickly and efficiently

What system did General Pershing rely on to safely transport soldiers and supplies across the ocean?

Convoy System - used groups of transport ships surrounded by destroyers and cruisers for protection from German submarines.

Why did Pershing insist that the AEF fight as a separate, distinct U.S. army?

To prove America’s worth

How did the arrival of U.S. troops impact the Allied effort in Europe?

It reinforced allied front lines and helped boost the morale of the army, playing a key role in turning the tides of the war.

5 main Battles

• Cantigny

• Chateau Theirry

• Belleau Wood

• Saint Mihiel

• Meuse Argonne

What was the significance of the Battle of Cantigny?

It was the First major American conflict in WWI, which helped to stabilize the front and boost morale

What was the significance of the Battle of Château-Thierry?

It was the First major engagement for the AEF

American and French troops prevented German advances to Paris and stopped them from crossing the Marne River

What did the Battle of Belleau Wood prove about the U.S. forces?

the U.S. force could fight on par with hardened European armies.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel?

• First major American-led offensive in WWI

• clear American victory , capturing almost 13,300 German prisoners

What was the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and when did it take place?

It was the major offensive mainly carried out by the AEF during the war , taking place from September 26 to November 11, 191

Aside from troops, what was a key financial contribution America made to the Allied Powers?

America loaned the Allied Powers $7 billion, which allowed them to keep buying supplies.

How did American production affect the war effort?

supply material in such short notice.

• The U.S. produced enough armaments for the United States, France, and Great Britain

What argument is presented as an "Opposing View" regarding the U.S. contribution?

The argument that the U.S. did not sacrifice the most is presented, noting that the U.S. did not lose even half a million soldiers while other countries lost millions

What other types of personnel did America send to aid the war effort?

• 16,500 women to serve meals, work as telephone operators, and clerks

• Native Americans helped create codes to prevent German eavesdropping

What was President Wilson's initial policy regarding WWI (1914-1917)?

Wilson urged Americans to stay neutral and "impartial in thought as well as in action".

What were the main goals of the U.S. policy of neutrality?

To keep the U.S. out of conflict and be a mediator of peace.

Why did many Americans want peace and isolation during the early years of the war?

Many immigrants were from the countries at war, and many Americans wanted peace and isolation.

How did U.S. economic activity contradict the idea of strict neutrality?

The U.S. allowed trade with all nations, but Britain's navy blockaded Germany, and economic ties with Allies grew stronger. Also, American banks loaned billions to Britain and France.

What was the impact of the U-boat campaigns on American neutrality?

Germany responded to the British blockade by sinking all merchant ships heading for Britain via "U-boats".

Describe the Attack on The Lusitania and its consequence in 1915.

A German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger ship, killing about 1,000 civilians, including 120 Americans. This fueled the Americans' desire to use military power.

How did President Wilson respond to the sinking of The Lusitania?

He sent a letter warning Germany that further attacks on neutral ships carrying American citizens would be considered "unrestricted submarine warfare" and that Germany must be held accountable for killing Americans.

What was the Zimmerman Note?

A note from Germany which proposed an alliance with Mexico to attack America. British intelligence intercepted and decoded the note and sent it to America.

What was the effect of the Zimmerman Note on American public opinion?

It caused Americans to want to declare war against Germany.

When did the United States formally declare war on Germany?

America declared war on Germany a month later on April 2nd.

What is a U boat

Basically a German submarine used to engage in unrestricted submarine warfare. Led to restrictions on warfare.

Did the American people initially support the war effort?

No, the American people did not support the war effort.

Name the four main subtopics discussed regarding the American Homefront during WWI.

Anti-War Activism, Espionage Act of 1917, Sedition Act of 1918, and Eugene Debs.

Which groups primarily opposed the war as part of Anti-War Activism?

Many socialists, pacifists, and ethnic groups with ties to Ireland or Germany opposed the war.

What was the Espionage Act of 1917?

It made it a crime to convey information intended to interfere with the war effort.

Who were the laws like the Espionage Act directed at?

They were directed at socialists, pacifists, and other anti-war activists.

What were the penalties for violating the Espionage Act of 1917?

It stated that a person could be fined not more than $10,000 or face imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both.

What was the Sedition Act of 1918?

It imposed harsh penalties for a wide range of dissenting speech, including abusing the U.S. Government, the Flag, the Constitution, and the Military.

What did the Sedition Act of 1918 make illegal during the war?

It made it illegal to spread lies that could hurt the military or publish anything disloyal or abusive about the U.S. government.

Who was Eugene Debs?

An American labor leader and politician who fought for workers' rights and was a member of the Socialist Party.

What was the main idea of Eugene Debs's "The Anti-War Speech"?

People with power start wars, but the poor fight and die in wars. Wealthy profit but poor gain nothing.

What happened to Eugene Debs due to his anti-war speech?

He was arrested for violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He ran for president though despite being stripped of US citizenship

What was the argument for the American people supporting the war effort (Signs of Support)?

Over 20 million Americans bought Liberty Bonds to help fund the war.

What was a Liberty Bond?

When Americans gave money to the government to help fund the war, and the government promised to pay them back later with interest.

What was the rebuttal to the argument that buying Liberty Bonds showed support?

The government and community leaders pressured citizens to buy bonds. Those who didn't were publicly labeled "slackers" or "unpatriotic".

What was the Committee on Public Information (CPI)?

A committee that spread pro-war messages. It was only created because public support for the war was weak at first.

Propaganda

What did "Four Minute Men" speeches and posters do?

They portrayed non-supporters as "un-American" or "traitors," forcing people to act supportive out of fear of judgment or arrest.

Propaganda

What was the Selective Service Act?

An Act passed by Congress to manage the Selective Service System to get troops for the U.S. entry into the Great War.

What were the age ranges for the three Selective Service Act registrations?

1st Registration: Men 21 - 31 years old.

2nd Registration: Men who turned 21 years old after June 5, 1917.

3rd Registration (August 24, 1918): A supplemental registration for men turning 21 years old after June 5, 1918.

How many men filled out cards and how many were selected for service?

About 24 million men filled out the cards, and about 6.4 million got selected to serve in the military.

Under the Selective Service Act, what were the only exemptions allowed?

No exceptions other than people who worked in industries needed for war.

How did the Selective Service system treat the issue of hiring substitutes?

No one was allowed to hire a substitute, unlike during the Civil War.

What was the role of the Committee for Public Information (CPI) regarding the draft?

The CPI was made by President Wilson to get public support for America's involvement by making and spreading propaganda.

What was the purpose of the Students' Army Training Corps (SATC)?

The U.S. Army and colleges created SATC to train students for all branches of the military and prepared the men as officers.

What were some Personal and Emotional Sacrifices made by soldiers?

Many young men left college, jobs, and families after being drafted. Soldiers faced fear, loneliness, and homesickness in the trenches.

What were the American casualty numbers in WWI?

116,000 Americans died and 204,000 were wounded.

What long-term personal struggle did survivors face?

Survivors often returned with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), struggling to adjust.

Name two examples of Everyday Sacrifices Americans made to conserve food.

"Meatless Mondays" and "Wheatless Wednesdays". Citizens also grew their own vegetables in "Victory Gardens".

What major societal change occurred with the Women in the Workforce?

Women took over jobs that were traditionally done by men.

Name three types of Economic Sacrifices made during the war.

Increased Taxes (to pay for military expenses), Inflation (prices of goods rose), and Industrial Shifts (factories converted to produce war materials instead of consumer goods).

How were German-Americans treated during the war?

People with a German background were immediately seen as enemies. They were referred to as "a race of barbaric raiders". German language schools were shut down, and German books were banned from libraries.

What Supreme Court case established the "Clear and Present Danger" Test?

Schenck v. United States (1919).

What did the "Clear and Present Danger" Test allow the government to do?

It allowed the government to limit speech if it creates a "clear and present danger" or causes harm.

Limited 1st amendment

Who was Charles Schenck, and what did he do?

He was a Socialist who opposed the military draft. He distributed leaflets encouraging citizens not to participate in the draft and was charged under the Espionage Act.

What was an opposing viewpoint regarding the Selective Service?

If the selective service didn't exist, millions of people would have been short, and they wouldn't have been able to win the war.

What was an opposing viewpoint regarding free speech during wartime?

The argument that the National Security is more important than First Amendment rights, and the government needs to protect the citizens and country especially during wartime.

Did the Great War have a positive impact on the United States?

The slides conclude that the Great War had a positive impact on the U.S. because African-Americans, immigrants, and women gained opportunities.

How did WWI affect African-American job opportunities?

Less Europeans migrated to the U.S., creating a shortage in labor jobs. This was an opportunity for many African-Americans to escape poverty, leading them to move to the North for these jobs.

What is the Great Migration?

The movement of African-Americans to the North.

What did African-Americans use the war as an opportunity for?

To prove their patriotism to whites.

How were African-American soldiers treated despite their service?

They were forced to take labor roles. They were treated harshly and were targets of extreme violence. Discriminationwas largely overlooked by the War Department.

Who were the Harlem Hellfighters?

The 369th Infantry, primarily filled with African Americans. They served a record 191 days in the trenches.

What honors did the Harlem Hellfighters receive?

They were awarded the Croix de Guerre from the French, a medal of bravery. They were one of the most efficient allied troops in the Great War.

What did an African-American soldier say about fighting for America?

Robert Sweeney said, "the American white man did everything to play you down and degrade you and not let you think you has been over there to fight to make the world safe for democracy. They wanted to put you in your place".

The whit people basically tried to put black down and make them feel like they didn’t contribute

What percentage of U.S. soldiers in WWI were immigrants?

20%

Which immigrant ethnicities fought in the war?

Recruits represented all races and creeds, including Italians, Chinamen, the Jews, the Irish, and Latinos.

Why did immigrants fight in the war?

To prove loyalty in the U.S., as a direct path to citizenship, and as a way to blend into society.

What law did the U.S. Congress pass for immigrants in the military?

A law to naturalize immigrants serving in the military for protection and confidence.

What happened to the culture of German immigrants?

They faced a lot of racism and were seen as "enemy aliens". Their culture was canceled, with "sauerkraut" renamed to "liberty cabbage".

What were the roles of women before the war?

Roles were focused on domestic duties. They had limited independence and were excluded from higher paying or skilled jobs.

How did women's roles change during the war?

Millions of women entered the workforce. They replaced men who went to fight. This created a major social shift.

What did the political cartoon about women and war imply?

It showed that everyone at home matters, and women and families supported the war through work and fundraising.

What were Reparations?

Payments Germany had to make after WWI under the Treaty of Versailles to repay the Allied powers for war damage.

How much territory and population did Germany lose due to the Treaty of Versailles?

• 13 percent of its European territory

• one-tenth of its population (between 6.5 and 7 million people).

What were the restrictions placed on the German military by the Treaty of Versailles?

The German army was limited to 100,000 men. No conscription was allowed, the navy restricted to ships under 10,000 tons, and no submarines or air force were permitted.

What was the most important clause in the Treaty of Versailles regarding blame?

Article 231, the "war guilt clause," which forced Germany to accept full responsibility for starting WWI and pay enormous reparations.

What was the impact of the reparations on Germany?

The treaty's reparations humiliated, poor, and angered Germany. The economic hardship and national resentmenteventually led to political chaos and World War II.

What is Self-determination?

The right of people to choose their own government. It was Point 10 in President Wilson's Fourteen Points.

What was the intended purpose of self-determination?

To end violence among different nationalities within the same country.

What was a challenge to creating a non-durable peace using self-determination?

Some populations were too mixed up to divide into nations. Also, minority groups were mistreated, causing conflicts.

What were President Wilson's Fourteen Points?

Wilson's vision for a lasting and fair peace after WWI, announced in 1918. They called for free trade, reduced armaments, self-determination, and the creation of a League of Nations.

Why were many of Wilson's Fourteen Points ignored in the Treaty of Versailles?

France and Britain desired to punish Germany through war guilt and territorial losses

What was Germany's reaction to the Treaty?

Germany saw the treaty as a dictated peace (Diktat). The economic hardship and national resentment fueled political extremism.

What were the main points of Hitler's speech regarding the Treaty?

Hitler blamed the treaty for most of Germany's problems. He called for unity and sacrifice, framing the war as a national necessity.

What was the League of Nations?

An international organization established after WWI to promote world peace and cooperation. It was Point 14 of President Wilson's Fourteen Points.

What was the key principle of the League of Nations?

Collective Security: An attack on one member of the League would be considered an attack on all members.

What was the purpose of Article X (Ten) of the League Covenant?

It required all members to protect each other's independence and territorial integrity. This was the most controversial article for the U.S. Senate.

What was the U.S. Senate's main concern with Article X of the League Covenant?

The Senate feared it would drag the U.S. into foreign conflicts and take away Congress's power to declare war.

Why was the League of Nations considered a failure?

It lacked the power to enforce its decisions. The U.S. never joined, which crippled its effectiveness.

Who was the main opponent of the League of Nations in the U.S. Senate?

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.

What was the role of Senator Lodge regarding the Treaty of Versailles?

He led the Reservationists who favored joining the League, but only with certain amendments (reservations) to the Treaty.

What were the two main groups opposing the League of Nations?

Irreconcilables (who were against the League no matter what) and Reservationists (who wanted changes, especially to Article X).

What was the key reason for the Senate's final rejection of the Treaty of Versailles?

President Wilson refused to compromise with the Reservationists, insisting the Senate pass the treaty without any changes.

How did President Wilson try to gain support for the League?

He went on a 3-week national tour to give speeches, but suffered a stroke that permanently weakened him.

What was a consequence of the U.S. not joining the League of Nations?

The U.S. returned to a policy of Isolationism, focusing on internal affairs and avoiding foreign entanglements.