APUSH Chp 29: WW1 & Spanish-American War

Woodrow Wilson

28th Prez during WW1

Came from South (GA & Carolinas)

Was a professor

Believed Congress needed leader to function correctly

Lacked common touch with U.S. people

Causes of WW1

Serb-Patriot kills Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

Military was arms race across Euro

Alliances with others & nationalism

Imperialism

Did Serbians enjoy being a part of Austria-Hungary?

No

Central Pwrs in Europe (Triple alliance)

Refers to the alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I. (Italy)

Allied Powers (Triple entente)

Refers to the alliance of France, Russia, and Great Britain during World War I, which later expanded to include other nations such as Italy and the United States.

Sussex pledge

A promise made by Germany in 1916 to restrict submarine warfare and prevent attacks on passenger ships, in response to U.S. protests.

Was the Sussex pledge kept a long time true?

No

Zimmerman Telegram/Note

A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States during World War I.  Make US pissed 

Espionage Act (1917)

Legislation that made it a crime to interfere with military operations or support U.S. enemies during wartime, imposing penalties for espionage and related offenses.

Who was tried under the Espionage law? What happened to him as a result?

Socialist Eugene Debbs & was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Harding would pardon him.

Sedition Act (1918)

Legislation that expanded on the Espionage Act by prohibiting speech or actions that criticized the government, the flag, or the armed forces during World War I, leading to further restrictions on civil liberties.

Did many people question why the U.S. gov was so strict on freedom of speech during this time?

yes

Schenck v. United States

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the Espionage Act, ruling that freedom of speech creating a "clear and present danger" could be limited during wartime.

Fourteen Points

• No secret treaties

• Ships can move peacefully in war

• Remove tariff barriers

• Reduce armament

• Free trade

• Protection of nation borders

• Self-Determination

Did people agree with the 14 points?

no

What 3 other things were important in those 14 points?

• Discrimination of minority groups

• Teaser to the LON

• Having Russia still stay present in the war

Henry Cabot Lodge 

• Supporter of Imperialism

• Helped through the growth of Darwinism & strength of navy

Wilson’s response to dollar & big stick diplomacy

• Did not agree with neither

• Repealed the Panama Canal Tolls Act

Jones Act

Legislation that affirmed the Philippines' eventual independence and established a bill of rights for Filipinos.

Haiti. Supervision of what?

Haitian Prez was torn to pieces. Wilson deploys troops to protect Americans & their property. 19 years there, until a treaty was reached that granted them supervision of finance & police.  

Mexico Background. who was prez?

For years, Mexico was used for its oil, mines, & railroads. Amer Capitalists hade made 13 mil

However, once revolts took place, and General Victoriano Huerta seized power in 1913, tensions escalated between the US and Mexico, leading to the US intervention in 1914.

Mexicans jumped the border & began to build highways and railroads.

They went to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, & Cali.

Tampico Incident. Sent navy to capture who? Why?

In April 1914 at Tampico, Mexican forces briefly arrested American sailors, released them, and apologized, but refused a demanded 21-gun salute for respect. Seizing the incident as leverage to oust Huerta, Wilson ordered the navy to capture Veracruz—before Congress acted—preventing German arms from reaching Huerta.

Pancho Villa

A prominent Mexican revolutionary general known for leading raids against the U.S. and his role in the Mexican Revolution. He became a symbol of resistance against oppressive regimes in Mexico. Killed Americans & biggest op to President Carrazana.

John Pershing

Pursued Pancho Villa into Mexico in 1916 after Villa's raids on U.S. soil.He was a general in the U.S. Army and played a key role in World War I, leading American Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

Neutrality (Influence & impact)

Many Euro pwrs, mainly GB & Germ, tried to influence U.S. into war

GB would blockade U.S. from trades in Northern Sea.

Was what Wilson campaigned on during 1916 election

Submarine Warfare (All event explanation)

Germ declared this on GB. Said they would not sink passenger boats. Promise not kept

Immediately sank Lusitania, the Arabic, and Sussex, leading to tensions with the U.S.

U.S. was forced to work with armed merchant ships

Unrestricted submarine warfare event

After 4 unarmed merchant ships were sunken by Germ Uboats, U.S. enters WW1

Financing the war. what industries & things helped?

Committee of Public Info, led by George Creel, gained interest & passion

Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover, made people strict on vegetable & fruit diets, helping supply food for soldiers at war

War Industries Board coordinated industrial production and set priorities for war materials.

Propaganda good

No ration cards, but rather propaganda used to promote healthy diet for U.S. citizens during this time

CPI would encourage people to be passionate for war and support war efforts through posters, films, and speeches that highlighted patriotism and the necessity of contributing to the war.

How was propaganda limited?

Often limited criticism of gov, flag, decision for war and discouraged dissenting opinions, leading to a culture of fear and repression of free speech.

Committee of Public Information

A government agency created during World War I to promote the war effort and influence public opinion through propaganda, led by George Creel.

• Employed 150k workers at home & aboard

• Sent army of 75k “4 min men” to deliver may speeches

• Stories of Wilsonism spread & german evil

Election of 1916

Wilson vs Charles Hughes

“He Kept Us Out of War”

Roosevelt indorsed Hughes & decided not to run

Wilson won, but barely 

IWW – Industrial Workers of the World. focused on what?

A radical labor union formed in 1905 that aimed to organize all workers and advocate for revolutionary change, focusing on the rights of the working class. They promoted direct action, industrial sabotage, and opposed World War I, viewing it as a conflict that benefitted capitalists.

"wobbies” or the “I won’t work”

War Industries Board

A federal agency created during World War I to coordinate the production of war materials and supplies, ensuring that the military had the necessary resources. It helped to manage industrial production and set priorities for the war effort.

Wilson’s War Message

A speech delivered by President Woodrow Wilson to Congress in April 1917, calling for a declaration of war against Germany. He argued that the world must be made safe for democracy and emphasized the need for America to join the fight for a peaceful global order.

Lusitania Sinking. Who resigned?

British ocean liner hit by German U-boat in May 1915, resulting in the deaths of 128 Americans and influencing public opinion against Germany, contributing to the U.S. entry into World War I.

WJ Bryan resigned as Secretary of State in protest over Wilson's handling of the incident.

“Edge of War” Timeline

1. Arabic (GB) ship sinks

2. Arabic Pledge: Focused mainly on passenger ships — no sinking them without warning.

3. Sussex (FR) ship sinks

4. Sussex Pledge: Went further — limited submarine warfare altogether, applying restrictions to all ships, not just passenger liners.

5. Unrestricted sub warfare = Break diplomacy

6. Armed neutrality

What is the main reason US enters WW1?

The main reason for the US entering WW1 was Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare

GB’s Blockade of Trade scheme: 

• At first, U.S. could trade with anyone bc they were neutral 

• GB wasn’t buying that

GB’s Response: 

• Blockade of trade with Euro nations

• Made illegal searches of ships headed to Euro

• Took non-contriband items

Contraband items are

Goods prohibited by law from being traded or transported, typically during wartime.  (Ammo/gun).

Wilsonism

• Fight for democracy > Fight for conquering Euro

• Open door & free trade

• Free-market capitalism

• Self-determination

• Win arms race

• US = Beacon to promote freedom 

• Work with allies to win & negotiate peace treaty 

Jeannete Rankin

First woman elected to the U.S. Congress, known for her opposition to World War I and advocacy for peace.

War Revenue Act. What else helped pay?

Increase taxes & generate funds for American participation in WW1, including income taxes and excise taxes on various goods.

Taxes & War bonds help pay for war. LIBERTY BONDS TOO

Government taking control

Took over RR, water systems, telephones, fuel usages

• Creation of the Council of National Defense 

  1. Part of the Preparedness campaign 

  2. Lacked authority 

  3. Industrial war

Overman Act

Allowed Wilson to make agencies to coordinate wartime production and allocate resources efficiently.

Food Administration

Looks over food distribution during WW1

Farm prices skyrocket

Banned use of alcohol 

Fuel Administration

Conserve daylight savings time

Rational coal, fuel prices go good aimed to conserve energy and ensure efficient use of resources for the war effort.

War Industries Board

Leader: Baranrd Barouch 

“Econ dictator” would decide what to be produced

Converted factors → wartime needs

Set prices for the products made

What happened as a result of government getting control of industrial war effort?

Production went up, waste went down

How were businesses impacted?

Used war to improve their image

Govt’t encouraged cooperation → merges going high

Working to fight 

How were African Americans impacted?

Joined military

Moved north for more industrial jobs & better lifestyle (Great Migration)

Did women equality change, or even the perspective of women change at all?

No

Effects of CPI (Both + & -)

War fever abroad

Spy hunts, traitor schemes

Hate towards Germans

High hopes for Wilson

Red Scare Contribution 

Edward House

A diplomat and close advisor to President Wilson during World War I, influential in establishing the League of Nations.

Russian Revolution

The series of events in 1917 that led to the collapse of the Tsarist regime and establishment of a communist government in Russia, significantly impacting World War I and global politics.

Russian Revolution importance in WW1

It led to Russia's withdrawal from World War I, allowing Germany to concentrate forces on the Western Front, and influenced allied strategies and political dynamics.

War agencies created during WW1 (2 btw)

War Industries Board and the Food Administration.

Selective Service Act

The law enacted in 1917 that authorized the U.S. federal government to draft soldiers for military service during World War I, expanding the military significantly. Worked in lottery system to randomly select men for conscription from registrants across the nation.

Bolsheviks

Radical communists that led the Russian Revolution, advocating for a communist government and ultimately seizing power in 1917.

American Expeditionary Force. Who led them?  

The U.S. military force sent to Europe during World War I, led by General John J. Pershing, which played a crucial role in assisting Allied forces.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, and establishing the League of Nations.

Big Four during WW1

Leaders of the four principal Allied powers at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, namely the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy.  

David Lloyd George

A British statesman and leader during the Paris Peace Conference, serving as Prime Minister, he played a key role in shaping the Treaty of Versailles.

Georges Clemenceau

French Prime Minister and key figure at the Paris Peace Conference, known for his push for harsh penalties on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles.

Vittorio Orlando

Italian Prime Minister and a prominent participant at the Paris Peace Conference, he sought territorial gains for Italy in the post-war settlement.

League of Nations

An international organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries, aimed at preventing future conflicts.

Reservationists. TOV?

A group of U.S. senators who were willing to support the League of Nations but sought amendments or reservations to the Treaty of Versailles to address their concerns.

Irreconcilables

U.S. senators who opposed the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles in any form, believing it compromised American sovereignty.

Red Scare  

A period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in the United States following World War I, characterized by government crackdowns on dissent and the persecution of perceived radicals.

Palmer Raids

A series of raids conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer in 1919 and 1920, targeting suspected anarchists and communists, resulting in many arrests and deportations.

Emma Goldman

An anarchist activist and influential figure in the early 20th century who fought for workers' rights, women's rights, and anti-authoritarian causes, often targeted during the Red Scare.

Article X

A provision in the League of Nations Covenant that stated “attack on 1 was an attack on all, which became a significant point of contention during U.S. Senate debates over joining the League after WWI.

Great Migration

The movement of over six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination.

Why was black migration difficult before WW1?

due to stringent Jim Crow laws, widespread racial discrimination, and limited economic opportunities in both the South and the North.

Gore-McLemore Resolution

A proposal introduced in 1917 that aimed to prevent the United States from entering World War I by asserting that American interests should not be entangled in foreign conflicts.

National Defense Act

Legislation passed in 1916 to increase U.S. military preparedness in anticipation of potential involvement in World War I, which expanded the army and established the National Guard.

National Labor Relations Board

A U.S. federal agency established in 1935 that oversees labor relations, ensuring workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively.

Revenue Act

Legislation passed in 1916 that increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations to finance military expenditures during World War I.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty signed in 1918 between the Central Powers and Soviet Russia, ending Russia's involvement in World War I and leading to significant territorial losses for Russia.

Women & war

The significant contributions of women during wartime, including taking on roles in factories, nursing, and military services

Women’s work in WW1 would allow them to what?

Get the right to vote (19th Amendment)

American Federation of Labor (AFL) (What’d they do?)

Led by Samuel Gompers

Supported & worked for the war

Doubled membership (+3 mil), in coal mining, manufacturing, & transportation.  

Nation’s 1st Labor Stoppage explained

Happened in Seattle, Washington

25k shipyard workers struck for higher wages

City reached virtual stand-still for 5 days, bc 25k joined too 

IWW complained because of?

Their awful working conditions 

Explain America’s biggest strike

Same year as the Seattle strike

1 mil steelworkers, walk off their jobs to show employees their right to bargain for ++ wages and ++ working conditions

Steel companies’ response to the protests

Brought in 30k African American strike backers to keep business going. 

Shootings from the Great Migration

St. Louis, Illinois

Chicago: Bathing beach incident

Progressive-era feminists & National Women’s Party view on war

hated it & did not support

National Woman Suffrage Association view on war

supported it

What did women do during ww1?

Take the roles in factories & fields, which had then belonged to their husbands or men.

Once war was over, what happened to these jobs?

Many women dropped out of their positions in these jobs.

Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act

Legislation that provided federal funding for maternity and child care services, promoting maternal health and education.

Did the U.S. have a big army entering ww1

no

Western Front called upon us. Why?

scraping final materials & desperately needed help

Improvement after AEF establishment (In women & blacks)

Women joined the navy & the marines. Neither black nor women could enlist in the army.  

Were the men entering the western front educated well for war?

No most had little military training.

Americans in France played with whom? What did the soldiers suffer from? 

Girls, Venard disease 

What did the first U.S. employments serve as?

Replacements for allied soldiers, and they fought in some parts of GB & FR.

Allied nations united under who when germ forces began ramping up?

French marshal Foch

What stops Germ from conquering all of France? Where did these people land?

U.S. employments in the Chateau-Thierry area.  They helped stop the Germans from advancing further into France.