WW1 Terms and Short

Isolationism

Staying out of world affairs.

Expansionism

Extending national boundaries.

Imperialism

Policy where powerful countries control the economic and political affairs of weaker countries.

Nationalism

Devotion to one’s nation and its interests.

Militarism

Building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Propaganda

Spreading ideas to help a cause or hurt an opposing cause.

Pacifist

A person who objects to any war and believes war is evil.

Socialism

Belief in personal property and public ownership of the means of production.

Self-determination

The right of national groups to have their own territory and government.

Reparations

Cash payments made by a defeated nation after a war.

Allied Powers (WWI)

Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Central Powers (WWI)

Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Cause of Imperialism: Industrialization

Nations needed raw materials for factories and new markets to sell goods.

Cause of Imperialism: Competition

Countries competed for land and resources and took territories to block rivals.

Cause of Imperialism: Racism

European nations believed their culture was superior and wanted to "civilize" others.

Hawaii Annexation

American sugar planters gained power, forced the king to accept a new constitution which increased the planters’ influence, overthrew the new queen with help from U.S. marines, and the U.S. annexed Hawaii.

Cause of U.S. Entry into WWI: German U-boats

• German U-boats had orders to attack any ship nearing Britain and did attack some US merchant ships. 

Cause of U.S. Entry into WWI: Zimmerman Telegram

Germany offered Mexico U.S. territory if it joined Germany; the U.S. intercepted the message.

Cause of U.S. Entry into WWI: Fall of the Czar

Russia moved toward democracy, making it easier for the U.S. to join the Allies.

Germany Punishment After WWI: Blame

• Germany had to take full blame for the war.

• Germany had to pay the Allies huge reparations.

• The size of Germany’s military was severely limited. 

• Germany had to give up its overseas colonies.

Cuban Independence After Spanish-American War

Cuba became a U.S. protectorate and had to allow the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated news stories about Spanish brutality increased support for war.

USS Maine

The Maine exploded in Havana Harbor; newspapers blamed Spain, pushing the U.S. into war.

The Philippines

The U.S. took control from Spain; Filipino rebels resisted; the U.S. ruled until after WWII.

Guam

Territory gained by the United States after the Spanish-American War.

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, the people were made citizens of the United States, and America created schools, roads and better healthcare for the people; Puerto Ricans had little say in their own affairs.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt.

Buffalo Soldiers

African American cavalry soldiers who fought in major battles.

Battle of San Juan Hill

Rough Riders, Buffalo Soldiers, and others captured the hill, helping the U.S. win in Cuba.

U.S. Protectorates

U.S. gained control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Cuban Constitution

Cuba wrote its own constitution but had to accept U.S. conditions such as allowing Guantanamo Bay.