American History II - Unit 4: World War I

Militarism

aggressively building up a nation’s army in preparation for war

Alliances

secret alliances in case of attack

Imperialism

a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Nationalism

a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country

spark of the war

assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Woodrow Wilson

president during world war I

Triple Alliance (central powers)

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente

alliance between Great Britain, France, Russia in the first years of WWI

War Industries Board

agency established during WWI to increase efficiency and discourage waste in war-related industries.

propaganda

ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause

women in world war I

-replaced men who went to work (did men's work)
-many volunteered
-many were fired when the men came home
-created a perfect opportunity for a change in womens' rights

enlisting propaganda

encouraging people to join the army

Liberty Bonds

used to pay war costs and give loans to allies

mustard gas

a toxic war gas with sulfides based compounds that raises blisters and attacks the eyes and lungs

battle of liege

Battle of Liege (1914)

first battle; Germans assaulted the heavily fortified city of Liege to capture the city

Left death and destruction in its wake

trench warfare

a form of warfare in which opposing armies fight each other from trenches dug in the battlefield

sinking of the lusitania

cruise ship that was sunk by German submarines and helped bring the US closer to involvement in WWI

sinking of the sussex

Passenger-liner sunk in March 1916 by Germany. This led Wilson to break diplomatic relations with Germany if they did not comply with his commands.

Zimmerman Telegram

a telegram Germany sent to mexico to convince Mexico to attack the U.S.

Food Administration

This government agency was headed by Herbert Hoover and was established to increase the production of food and ration food for the military.

national war labor board

A board that negotiated labor disputes and gave workers what they wanted to prevent strikes that would disrupt the war

great migration

movement of a mass amount of african americans from the rural south into northern cities

schlieffen plan

Attack plan by Germans, proposed by Schliffen, lightning quick attack against France. Proposed to go through Belgium then attack France, Belgium resisted, other countries took up their aid, long fight, used trench warfare

battle of the marne

A major French victory against the invading German army at the start of WWI. In reality lost Germany the war.

battle of verdun

(1916) the longest battle of World War I; it ended in stalemate, with both sides suffering hundreds of thousands of casualties

americans arrive in WWI

added new forces to the war, boosted the morale of the allies and demoralized the german soldiers.

russian revolution

The revolution against the Tsarist government which led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the creation of a provisional government in March 1917.

Vladimir Lenin

Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870-1924).

john j. pershing

Commander of American Expeditionary Force of over 1 million troops who insisted his soldiers fight as independent units so US would have independent role in shaping the peace

1918 spring offensive

massive attack from Germany along the Western front; blocked Germany from taking Paris

battle of argonne forest

defeat of the Germans by French and American troops in France in October 1918

convoy system

the protection of merchant ships from U-boat-German submarine-attacks by having the ships travel in large groups escorted by warships

veterans day

November 11, 1918; truce is signed

Treaty of Versailles

the treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in 1920 after the end of World War I which demanded exorbitant reparations from the Germans

Wilson's 14 Points

Woodrow Wilson's plan for post-war peace: no secret treaties; freedom of the seas; removal of economic barriers; reduction of arms; adjust colonial claims

Paris Peace Conference

The great rulers and countries excluding Germany and Russia met in Versailles to negotiate the repercussions of the war, such leaders included Loyd George (Britain), Woodrow Wilson (America), Cleamancu (France) and Italy. The treaty of Versailles was made but not agreed to be signed and the conference proved unsuccessful.

Social Impacts of WWI

depression and PTSD; people were demoralized, Germany lost territory

Economic Impacts of WWI

businesses closed, no jobs for veterans; industry damaged; Germany had to pay $33 billion in reparations

Schenck v US

A United States Supreme Court decision concerning the question of whether the defendant possessed a First Amendment right to free speech against the draft during World War I. Ultimately, the case served as the founding of the "clear and present danger" rule.