APUSH WW1 Quiz

U.S neutrality at the start of WW1 and reasons

Stayed neutral until 1917 due to:

• their tradition of isolationism

• ethnic diversity (Americans had ties to countries on both sides)

• focused on domestic issues (problems or challenges affecting people within a country)

Was the U.S TRULY neutral?

No, they favored the allies and American banks loaned billions of dollars to the allied powers.

Economic reasons for U.S. entrance into the war

U.S. loans and trade heavily tied to Allies, therefore if they lost, it would hurt the U.S. economy

Military reasons for U.S. entrance into the war

• unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany led to the sinking of many US ships

• zimmermann telegram

zimmermann telegram

secret coded message from Germany to Mexico in January 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States during World War I

democratic reasons for US entrance into the war

Wilson’s goal to “make the world safe for democracy” and he championed the principle of national self-determination

self-determination

national groups should have the right to determine their own governmental institutions

The AEF

The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), commanded by General John J. Pershing, were the armed forces that the United States sent to Europe during WW1. Nicknamed Doughboys after a pastry they used to make on the way over the Atlantic.

US’ good timing to enter the war

The US picked a good time to enter the war because Russia (on the Ally side) had recently dropped out which gave Germany hope to win the war.

russian revolution

The Russian people had started to revolt against the government because they were not supporting their soldiers on the front lines which led to the Germans beating them very badly.

Treat of Brest-Litovsk

treaty that took Russia out of the war

Spring Offensive

Germany's massive, final gamble to win World War I on the Western Front by breaking through Allied lines before American forces arrived in full strength

Chateau Thierry

US first significant engagement in the war. they were able to stop germany’s Spring Offensive.

american units during the war

American soldiers fought in their own units and did not mix with Britain or France. (unless you were Black - then you fought with the French)

second battle of marne

last major German offensive and the beginning of the decisive Allied counterattack that led to Germany's “defeat”. Its significance lies in halting the final German push, boosting Allied morale, showcasing American strength with the help of Alvin York

Alvin York

An American soldier who at first didn't support war, but was forced to fight. He killed lots of German soldiers and saved many lives (known as very heroic)

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Allied-Counter Offensive that started in September 1918. Also called the Hundred Day Offense. This ultimately convinces Germany (hungry and tired) that war is unwinnable

The armistice

November 11th 1918, Germany signed an armistice ending the war which ended the fighting. it was NOT a surrender, yet the US interpreted it as one.

Committee for Public information

created by President Wilson to spread pro-war propaganda. It was misleading as it only provided the positives of the war. Was led by journalist George Creel who hired thousands of people (celebrities) called 4minute men and gave them a short script to support ww1

How the govt. paid for ww1

• income tax

• progressive tax

• war profit tax

• war saving stamps

• war bonds

16th amendment

1913 constitutional amendment that gave Congress the authority to levy an income tax

income tax

tax levied on an individual's wages, salary, and other forms of earnings.

progressive tax

the more money you make, the more taxes you pay

war profit tax

taxes on businesses who make money in the war, like artillery companies

war saving stamps

People bought stamps in various denominations (e.g., 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $5). Next, stamps were placed in special savings stamp books. Once a book was filled, it could be exchanged for a larger War Savings Bond ($25, $50, $100). The money raised supported the military's needs for weapons, food, and supplies.

war bonds

also called liberty bonds and victory loans: the government borrows money from citizens and will pay back with interest

War Industries Board

Created by Wilson and headed by Bernard Baruch to increase industrial production and coordinate different industries. Gov. took over all factories and ran them like 1 big factory. Board instructed factories on what to produce, how much, and the cost.

National War Labor Board

Headed by ex-president Taft and was formed to unify labor policies and served as the court for labor disputes because they wanted to prevent strikes (around 6,000 of them). It also worked to improve working conditions (8hr workday and standards for women/children)

Food Administration

Headed by future president Hoover. Used propaganda (food will win the war; don't waste it) to try to get people to ration food as it relied upon VOLUNTARY participation. . The US had to provide food for its own citizens as well as the allied countries

Fuel Administration

Headed by Harry Garfield . It was designed to control America's use of fuel since it was needed overseas. Americans were asked to voluntarily conserve their use of fuel (daylight savings was observed for the 1st time in US history in order to cut back of the use of fuel/electricity).

Why was there anti-german sentiment?

1). clashing with the germans in Samoa and at Manila Bay over expansion of US territories in the late 19th century
2). competition over trading in china, east indies, the pacific, and africa
3). German dominance of naval/army power over the US
4). germany invaded neutral belgium
5). British propaganda demonizing the germans

Examples of anti-german sentiment

1). many American schools stopped offering German as a language
2). German words were renamed (sauerkraut = livery cabbage)
3). orchestral works by German musicians were removed
4). many German Americans were beaten and sometimes even killed

women during ww1

They joined the public sphere as they were needed for labor by replacing men in factories (nurses/ambulance drivers). Led to the passage of the 19th amendment after the war

19th amendment

womens sufferage rights

African Americans during ww1

400k served in the military in segregated units (for the majority, they were sent to aid the French army - with exception to the harlem hellfighters). Many blacks moved out of the south during the great migration, however the red Summer would occur as a result.

harlem hellfighters

The fierce African American military unit that fought in World War I. The regiment served more time in continuous front-line combat than any other American unit

the great migration

Movement of African Americans from the South to the North for jobs and to escape discrimination in the South from the Jim Crow Laws. Effects include:
-black cultural identity (jazz music, novels, poetry, arts)
-Speakeasies: center for black community

Red Summer

When the war ended, many white Americans came home to have their jobs taken by black people who moved north during the great migration, which increased tensions. Lots of violence, lynching, and racial riots.

Sedition Act of 1918

Wilson signed this during the war and made it illegal for americans to speak disloyally about the US government, constitution, or flag (was pro-war). This act severely restricted people’s civil liberties.

Schenck V. US

Schenck mailed pamphlets to recent draftees that claimed the draft was a violation of the 13th amendment’s prohibition of slavery and to petition for repeal of the draft. He was arrested and went to the Supreme Court who decided that Schenck was in the wrong. Supreme court justice Holmes ruled that freedom of speech could be restricted when the words presented a “clear and presented danger”.

Paris peace conference

the meeting of the victorious Allied Powers after World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers, deciding on the Treaty of Versailles with Germany and establishing the League of Nations. Delegates from 22 nations were invited, but the big 4 would dominate (US, italy, Britain, France)

Big 4’s agenda at Paris peace conference

1. (All but US) self-interest: “to the victors go the spoils”

2. (All but US) vengeance and punishment

3. (All) kill bolshevism: aka communism

4. (US only) Wilson’s 14 points

wilson’s 14 points

This is the plan for post-World War I outlined by President Wilson in 1918. This plan called for self-determination (smaller countries should govern themselves, not be controlled by big nations), freedom of the seas, free trade, end to secret agreements, reduction of arms and a league of nations. (he wrote this during ww1)

treaty of Versailles

the treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in June 28th, 1919 after the end of World War I which demanded exorbitant reparations from the Germans:
1). War Guilt Clause
2). Reparations (paying for war damages)
3). Disarmament (no weapons, military, etc.)
4). Loss of territory (worst consequence)
5). Imposed government (Weimar Republic - puppet of Allies)

Results of the creation of new nations post-war

1). Germany bitter over the loss of territory to Poland, Denmark, and France
2). Russia bitter over the loss of territory in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia
3). Italy bitter over not gaining territory in along their northern borders which went to form Yugoslavia
4). Japan upset over not getting territories because UK/France took them

wilsons 14th point

Called the League of Nations which was an international mediating body to make war together and make peace together.

Irreconcilables

Treaty has to get ratified by the Senate but the League of Nations is a huge issue of debate. Under no circumstances would they be reconciled to voting for the League of Nations

Reservationists

Treaty has to get ratified by the Senate but the League of Nations is a huge issue of debate. Approved the idea of the League but wanted to change Article 10 which stated that when diplomacy fails, League of Nations would make war and peace together which implies that the Senate no longer has that right

wilson’s complications on tour

Wilson went on tour to try to sell the idea of the league of nations to the people because the Senate wouldn't pass it. But his health was not good. He was not healthy to begin with and this added stress made it worse. In Pueblo, Colorado he made a very emotional and heartfelt speech where he cried.

henry Cabot lodge

conservative senator who did not support the league of nations (from MA). he led the opposition against it

End result of the league of nations debate

The split Senate opinions resulted in the U.S. never joining the League of Nations, crippling the organization from the start by removing the world's leading economic power and leading to deadlocks and a lack of commitment from other members

President Harding

Won the presidential election of 1920 with VP Coolidge. Called for "A return to Normalcy" (a desire to go back to the simpler, pre-World War I era, characterized by isolationism, limited government, and a focus on traditional American values and business interests) and the people listened. He won by a huge majority but unfortunately died during his term.

Isolationists

People who wanted the United States to stay out of foreign affairs

unilateralists

Those who believe that the United States should act independently to pursue its national interests without seeking the cooperation of other nations