The Great War - Chapter 8

neutrality

The refusal to take sides or become involved in a conflict.

Moral diplomacy

The concept that the United States should drastically reduce its intervention in the affairs of other countries.

espionage

Spying.

Armenian Genocide

The systematic extermination of the Armenian population by the Ottoman Empire during World War I, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1.5 million Armenians.

dissent

The disagreement with the government’s official opinion.

Conscientious objectors

A person who refused to fight in a war for religious reasons.

Sedition

The criminal act of trying to persuade individuals to undermine the government.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected by law from government interference.

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

The corps of soldiers sent to fight in Europe; 3.7 million American men.

John J. Pershing

An experienced military leader who commanded troops in Cuba, Mexico, and the American West.

Liberty Bonds

A way to loan money to the US, helping pay off war loans by other nations.

influenza

An acute and highly contagious illness commonly called 'the flu'.

Pandemic

Sudden outbreak of a disease that spreads over a wide geographic area.

great Migration

African Americans had begun leaving the south for cities in the North around 1910.

Prohibition

Making the sale of liquor illegal.

18th Amendment/Volstead Act

Prohibited the sale of alcohol in the U.S.; the Volstead Act was used to enforce prohibition.

19th Amendment

Granting women suffrage.

armistice

An agreement between opposing sides in a conflict to stop fighting.

Communism

A form of government in which all the means of production and transportation are owned by the state.

Fourteen points

A program of peace to push for self determination, which Britain and France wouldn’t agree to.

Meuse-Argonne offensive

American divisions cut off the railroads bringing supplies to the German Army.

Battle of Argonne Forest

General Pershing led AEF troops into battle.

Sovereignty

Freedom from external control.

Treaty of Versailles

Officially brought the war to a close, resulting in victories and defeats for the American nation.

League of Nations

A general assembly of countries that would stabilize relations among countries and help preserve peace.

Warren G. Harding

Senator who promised frustrated voters a return to normalcy.