World War I Study Guide

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the United States' involvement in World War I, including major events, legislation, and shifts in public opinion.

Why do Americans feel divided about the war when it starts?

Most Americans saw no reason to get involved. Others felt a close connection to the interests of Europe since many recently emigrated from Europe.

Germany’s invasion and treatment of Belgium

Germany attacked Belgium,Photographs and video showing civilian attacks, obliterated villages, cathedrals, and libraries along with broken down hospitals

How does this impact American public opinion?

inspired Germany’s new nickname:“The Bully of Europe”

Allied Trade:

WWI transformed the U.S. from a debtor nation to a creditor nation (made the US wealthy)

Which “side” does the US sell weapons and food to?

The allies.

Which country does the US not trade with?

The central powers.

The British Blockade

Britain prevented military weaponry and food from reaching Germany, leading to a famine

The Lusitania

What impact did it have on the war for Americans?

a German U-boat sank the British passenger liner Lusitania

killing 128 Americans.

The Americans symapthed the civivlians who had lost their lives.

Election of 1916

What was his slogan?

Woodrow Wilson won reelection

He kept us out of trouble

Zimmerman Telegram

Intercepted by British intelligence

Proposed alliance between Germany and Mexico

Promised Mexican territory recovery (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona)

Russian Revolution: how does it lead to US entry to war?

after Russian revolutionaries overthrew the Czar of Russia

War Industries Board

Centralized raw material control

Price regulation

Food Administration

Encouraged food conservation

Voluntary

Finance

How did the US raise money to pay for the war? (It’s a combination)

What was the name of the loans?

of loans and taxes

Liberty bonds

Selective Service Act (1917)

Draft

democratic recruitment method

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

Led by John Pershing

Americans soldiers were called “doughboys

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

George Creel

Rallying public support, controlling war narrative

Anti-German Backlash

Renaming sauerkraut “liberty cabbage”

Espionage Act

Prohibited interference with military operations

Sedition Act

Limitations on free speech

Imprisonment for "disloyal" or “abusive” statements

Abrams vs. United States

Supreme Court upheld severe restriction on freedom of speech

Schenck vs. United States

Limit speech and is a “clear and present danger” to public safety