WWI Key Terms and Concepts: Wilson, Causes, Battles, and Peace

Woodrow Wilson

US president during WWI who pushed for peace and the 14 Points.

Franz Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria whose assassination sparked WWI.

MAIN

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism, the long-term causes of WWI.

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.

Allied Powers

Britain, France, Russia, later the US and others.

Propaganda

Media used to influence public opinion about the war.

Rape of Belgium

German invasion of Belgium marked by brutal treatment of civilians.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategy to defeat France quickly then attack Russia.

U-Boat

German submarine.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany sinking ships without warning.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by Germany killing Americans.

Zimmermann Telegram

Germany tried to get Mexico to attack the US.

British blockade

Britain blocked German ports causing shortages.

Sussex Pledge

Germany's promise to limit submarine attacks.

Teddy's Role

Teddy Roosevelt pushed for US preparedness and criticized Wilson.

Preparedness Movement

Effort to build up the US military before joining war.

Peace Without Victory

Wilson's idea that the war should end without punishment.

Selective Service Act

Law that created the WWI draft.

369th Regiment

Black US regiment that fought bravely in France.

Du Bois

Black leader who encouraged support for the war to earn equality.

Trench warfare

Fighting from long trenches leading to stalemates.

Big Berthas

Huge German cannons.

Battleships/ HMS Dreadnought

Powerful new warships that changed naval combat.

Convoy

Groups of ships traveling together for protection.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Major US-led attack that helped end the war.

The Lost Battalion

US unit trapped behind German lines but refused to surrender.

Casualty data

Huge losses showing the war's deadly scale.

Committee on Public Information

Group that used propaganda to support the war.

George Creel

Leader of the Committee on Public Information.

4 Minute Men

Volunteers who gave short pro-war speeches.

Pacifists

People who opposed war on moral grounds.

Women's Peace Party

Organization of women who opposed WWI.

Liberty Bonds

Bonds sold to raise money for the war.

War Industries Board

Controlled production and supplies for the war.

Food & Fuel Administrations

Managed food and energy use to support troops.

Great Migration (pushes/pulls)

African Americans moved north for work and to escape racism.

Espionage Act

Law limiting actions that could harm the war effort.

Sedition Act

Law banning speech against the government or war.

Wobblies

Radical labor group that opposed the war.

Eugene V. Debs

Socialist jailed for speaking against the war.

Schenck v. US

Supreme Court said speech can be limited during wartime if dangerous.

US v. O'Brien

Court said the government can punish burning draft cards.

Texas v. Johnson

Court said flag burning is protected speech.

Freedom of Speech

First Amendment right but restricted during wartime.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty that punished Germany after WWI.

14 Points

Wilson's plan for peace and preventing future wars.

Big Four

Leaders of the US Britain France Italy.

War Guilt Clause

Part of the treaty blaming Germany for the war.

Collective security

Nations work together to prevent aggression.

League of Nations

International group meant to keep peace.

Internationalists/Irreconcilables/Reservationists

Groups in the Senate debating the treaty.

Partisanship

Political division that blocked Wilson's goals.

1920 Election

Warren Harding won promising a return to normalcy.