Vocab Chart #11

Central Powers

The alliance during World War I made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and later Bulgaria. These countries fought together against the Allied Powers in an effort to expand their influence and protect their empires.

Allies

The group of nations that opposed the Central Powers in World War I, originally including Great Britain, France, and Russia, and later joined by the United States, Italy, and others. They worked together militarily and economically to defeat Germany and its allies.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The emperor of Germany from 1888 to 1918 who ruled during World War I. He supported militarism and aggressive foreign policies, which increased tensions in Europe and contributed to the outbreak of the war.

u-boats

German submarines used during World War I to attack and sink enemy ships, including merchant and passenger vessels. They were a key part of Germany’s naval strategy, especially through unrestricted submarine warfare.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915 while traveling from New York to England. The attack killed nearly 1,200 people, including 128 Americans, which angered the United States and increased support for entering the war.

Zimmerman Note

A secret telegram sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917 proposing a military alliance if the United States entered World War I. Germany promised to help Mexico regain lost territory, and when the message was intercepted, it pushed the U.S. closer to joining the war.

Sussex Pledge

A promise made by Germany in 1916 to the United States stating that it would stop sinking passenger ships without warning. This was an attempt to avoid provoking the U.S. into entering World War I.

Jeanette Rankin

The first woman elected to the United States Congress, who served during World War I. She is known for voting against U.S. entry into the war, showing that not all Americans supported involvement.

“Hello Girls”

A group of American women who served as telephone operators for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. They played an important role in communication on the front lines and showed the expanding role of women in the military.

Mobilization

The process of preparing a country for war by organizing troops, producing weapons, and managing resources. In World War I, it involved turning industries into war production and getting soldiers ready to fight.

George Creel

The head of the Committee on Public Information, a government agency created during World War I to influence public opinion. He used propaganda through posters, speeches, and media to gain support for the war effort.

Bernard Baruch

A businessman who led the War Industries Board during World War I. He helped organize and control industrial production to ensure that the military had enough weapons, supplies, and equipment.

“Over There” Lyrics

A popular patriotic song written during World War I that encouraged American soldiers and boosted public support for the war. It became a symbol of national pride and unity.

Espionage and Sedition Act

Laws passed by the U.S. government during World War I that limited freedom of speech and made it illegal to criticize the war, the government, or the military. Many people were arrested for speaking out against the war.

Schenck V. U.S.

A Supreme Court case in 1919 that ruled that the government could limit free speech during wartime if it posed a “clear and present danger.” This case supported the enforcement of the Espionage Act.

Selective Service Act

A law passed in 1917 that required men to register for the military draft. It allowed the United States to quickly build a large army by requiring citizens to serve.

Herbert Hoover

The leader of the U.S. Food Administration during World War I, responsible for managing food supplies. He encouraged Americans to conserve food so more could be sent to soldiers and allies overseas.

"Voluntarism"

The idea that people would willingly make sacrifices for the war effort without being forced by the government. It was used to encourage Americans to conserve food and resources.

Wheatless Wednesdays

Government campaigns encouraging Americans to reduce their consumption of certain goods on specific days. This helped save important resources for soldiers and allies during the war.

meatless Tuesday

Government campaigns encouraging Americans to reduce their consumption of certain goods on specific days. This helped save important resources for soldiers and allies during the war.

Liberty Gardens

Gardens planted by Americans at home to grow their own food during World War I. This reduced pressure on the public food supply and supported the war effort.

gasless Thursdays

Government campaigns encouraging Americans to reduce their consumption of certain goods on specific days. This helped save important resources for soldiers and allies during the war.

Doughboys

The nickname given to American soldiers who served in World War I. They were known for their bravery and played a key role in helping the Allies win the war.

John J. Pershing

The general who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. He insisted that U.S. troops fight as an independent force rather than being merged with Allied armies.

Fourteen Points

A set of proposals created by President Woodrow Wilson to establish lasting peace after World War I. The plan included ideas like free trade, open diplomacy, and self-determination for nations.

League of Nations

An international organization proposed after World War I to promote peace and prevent future wars. Although it was part of the Treaty of Versailles, the United States never joined.

Article X

A section of the League of Nations agreement that required member nations to defend each other if attacked. Many Americans opposed it because they feared it would drag the U.S. into future wars.

Henry Cabot Lodge

A U.S. senator who strongly opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. He believed the treaty would limit American independence and led the effort to reject it.

reservationist

A group of senators who were willing to support the Treaty of Versailles only if changes were made, especially to Article X. They wanted to protect U.S. sovereignty.

irreconcilables

Senators who completely opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, no matter what changes were made. They believed the U.S. should avoid foreign alliances.

reparations

Payments that Germany was required to make to Allied countries for the damage caused during the war. These payments placed a heavy economic burden on Germany.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I. It placed full blame on Germany and imposed harsh penalties, including territorial losses and military restrictions.

return to normalcy

A slogan by Warren G. Harding meaning a return to pre–World War I life (less government involvement, more stability).

Demobilization

The process of bringing soldiers home and transitioning from a wartime to a peacetime economy after WWI.

red scare

A period of fear (1919–1920) that communists and radicals were trying to take over the U.S.

Palmer Raids

Government raids led by A. Mitchell Palmer that arrested suspected radicals without proper legal protections.

J. Edgar Hoover

Government official who helped lead investigations during the Red Scare; later became head of the FBI.

Sacco and Vanzetti Trial

Trial of two Italian immigrants accused of murder; many believed they were unfairly convicted due to anti-immigrant bias.

nativism

• The belief that native-born Americans are superior to immigrants; led to discrimination and immigration restrictions.

new KKK

The revived Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s that targeted Black Americans, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews.

Birth of a Nation

• A film that glorified the KKK and increased its popularity in the 1920s.

Emergency Quota Act of 1921 & Immigration Act of 1924

• Laws that limited immigration, especially from southern/eastern Europe and Asia.

18th Amendment

Banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Prohibition (Volstead Act)

The law that enforced the 18th Amendment.

Bootlegging

llegal production and sale of alcohol during Prohibition.

Al Capone

Famous crime boss who made money from illegal alcohol.

speakeasies

Secret bars where people illegally drank alcohol.

Fundamentalism

• A religious movement that believed in strict, literal interpretation of the Bible.

Billy Sunday

A preacher who strongly supported Prohibition and traditional values.

Butler Act

Tennessee law that banned teaching evolution in schools.

Scopes Trial

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Famous trial about teaching evolution vs. religion; highlighted conflict between science and religion.

Lost Generation

Writers disillusioned after WWI (felt life had no meaning).

flappers

Young women who challenged traditional roles (short hair, makeup, independence).

Henry Ford

Car manufacturer who made cars affordable.

Assembly Line

A production method where workers do one small task repeatedly to make products faster.

Model T

Affordable car produced by Ford that changed American life

Adkins V. Children Hospital

• Ruled that minimum wage laws for women were unconstitutional.

Harlem Renaissance

• Cultural movement celebrating Black art, music, and literature in Harlem, NYC.

Marcus Garvey

Promoted Black pride and economic independence.

Black is Beautiful

Idea encouraging pride in Black identity and culture.

“trickle down" theory

Idea that helping businesses and the wealthy will benefit everyone.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

Raised taxes on imports; hurt international trade.

Teapot Dome Scandal

Government officials took bribes for oil drilling rights.

Chicago Riots

Violent racial conflict in Chicago (1919).

Tulsa Race Massacre

White mobs destroyed a wealthy Black community.

Red Summer

Series of race riots across the U.S. in 1919.

Bonus Bill

A bill to give WWI veterans early payment; initially rejected.

isolationism

Policy of avoiding involvement in other countries’ affairs.

Washington Disarmament Conference

Meeting where nations agreed to limit military/naval weapons

McNary-Haugen Bill

Proposed government support for farmers; vetoed by the president.

Dawes Plan

Plan to help Germany pay WWI debts and stabilize Europe’s economy.