World War 1 Terms

neutrality

to not take sides and stay out of foreign affairs, it’s the policy of President Wilson at the beginning of WW1

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne who was assassinated by the Black Hand terrorist group to start WW1

Glen Curtiss

his company built aircraft for the US Army and Navy and, during the years leading up to WW1 his experiments with seaplanes led to advances in naval aviation 

Internationalists 

A group of Senate democrats who supported the Treaty of Versailles.They believed the US had already become a world power and should join the League of Nations. 

Battle of Argonne Forest

The last major offensive of WW1 under General Pershing. They cut off the Central Power access to railroads. 

Treaty of Versailles 

treaty to end WW1; it created the League f Nations and charged Germany with $33 billion of reparations. The US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty. 

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 

Germany’s policy during WW1 of using submarines to sink any enemy ship on sight(ex. Sinking the Lusitania) 

Wilson’s 14 points

ideas on how to maintain global peace after WW1

Schenk vs. US

The Supreme Court ruled that free speech can be limited during a time of war or when there is a “clear and present danger” to national safety

Militarism

the glorification of military power and values and always keeping your military prepared for war

War Industries Board

created in 1917 to make sure enough supplies and equipment were produced and delivered to the military

Irreconcilables 

a group of 16 Senate republicans who completely opposed the Treaty of Versailles 

Zimmerman Note

a telegram sent during WW1 from Germany to Mexico asking for their military help against the US. They promised Mexico its territory back that was lost to the US. 

Central Powers

The WW1 alliance between: Germany Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire 

Allied Powers

the WW1 alliance between: France, England, and Russia. The US joins on this side of the conflict. 

Reservationists

people who were reluctant to ratify the Treaty of Versailles because they did not want to join the League of Nations. They were led by Henry Cabot Lodge who was a bitter enemy of Woodrow Wilson. 

Sussex Pledge

a promise made by Germany to the US that Germany would stop attacking merchant ships if Britain ended the blockade of German ports.

League of Nations

an international organization to keep world peace. The member nations would protect one another during time of crisis or war. The noted States did not join the League.

American Expeditionary Forces [AEF]

The American forces, nicknamed “Dough boys” who fought in WW1; were led by General John J. Pershing

Selective Service Act

a 1917 law creating a national draft for men 21 to 30 to increase the size of the US military

The Great Migration

movement of African Americans from the south to the north due to the increasing number of new jobs opening in Northern factories; led to race riots in major cities due to the white population feeling threatened by the black population for jobs

Sedition Act

In 1918 Congress passed this law to make it illegal to say anything that was disloyal, profane or abusive about the government 

Wobblies

Nickname for members of the Industrial Workers of the World who were against the war, and targeted greedy capitalists for being war mongers.

Committee on Public Information

created by President Wilson as a way to stop criticism of the War. It led a massive propaganda campaign composed of movies, art work, and press releases.