U.S. History: WWI, 1920s, and Great Depression Key Concepts

What factor shifted U.S. foreign policy toward intervention in World War I by 1917?

German unrestricted submarine warfare, which violated American neutral trading rights and endangered U.S. civilians and commercial interests.

What were Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points primarily intended to create?

A new international framework based on self-determination, transparent diplomacy, and collective security to prevent future wars.

How did wartime mobilization impact the U.S. federal government between 1917 and 1918?

Federal agencies such as the War Industries Board expanded central authority by coordinating production, allocating raw materials, and establishing priorities for industry.

Why did the U.S. Senate refuse to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

Senators feared Article X of the League of Nations could obligate the U.S. to intervene abroad without congressional approval.

What did the Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) reflect?

A wartime climate of intolerance toward dissent, resulting in significant restrictions on freedom of speech and civil liberties.

What was a major long-term effect of the Great Migration (1915-1930)?

Significant demographic shifts that strengthened Black cultural, political, and economic influence in urban northern communities.

What factor explains the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s?

A rise in nativist sentiment fueled by fears of immigration, changing cultural norms, and increased urbanization.

What conflict is reflected in the Scopes "Monkey" Trial of 1925?

The cultural divide between traditional religious fundamentalism and modern scientific thought.

What economic condition contributed to the stock market crash of 1929?

Widespread speculation, excessive margin buying, and inflated stock values disconnected from actual industrial output.

How did President Herbert Hoover respond to the early years of the Great Depression?

By promoting voluntary cooperation among businesses and limiting direct federal relief, believing excessive intervention would undermine self-reliance.

Which group experienced new economic opportunities during WWI due to labor shortages?

African Americans and women who entered industrial jobs previously closed to them.

How did U.S. neutrality between 1914 and 1916 affect American trade?

It led to increased trade with the Allied Powers due to British naval blockades restricting U.S. commerce with Germany.

How did World War I affect the U.S. economy?

The war stimulated rapid economic growth by expanding industrial output and federal involvement in the economy.

What was a primary social effect of WWI on the United States?

The impact on social dynamics and shifts in demographics due to the war.

What contributed to the Red Scare of 1919-1920?

Fear sparked by labor strikes, bombings, and the Bolshevik Revolution

Why did many labor unions struggle during the 1920s?

Businesses promoted 'open shop' policies and linked unions to radicalism, reducing membership

What was a major effect of Prohibition?

Rise of illegal bootlegging operations and criminal networks

What cultural development characterized the 1920s?

Rise of mass culture through radios, films, advertising, entertainment

What factor weakened farmers' economic position?

Overproduction with falling prices and rising debt

How did the automobile affect American life?

Stimulated new industries, suburbanization, and consumer behavior

What was a major cause of the 1920s economic boom?

Consumer borrowing, installment buying, mass production

Why did immigration restriction gain support?

Nativism, racial theories, and fear of radicalism

What did the Harlem Renaissance reflect?

Flourishing Black artistic and cultural expression

Why did Republicans support high tariffs?

Protect domestic industry from foreign competition

What contributed to the decline of the labor movement?

Welfare capitalism and anti-union propaganda portraying unions as un-American

What did the Washington Naval Conference represent?

Limit naval armaments and avoid alliances

What did the UNIA promote?

Black nationalism, self-sufficiency, pride in African heritage

What was an effect of Prohibition?

Black market, organized crime, disrespect for law

What were structural weaknesses in the late 1920s?

Wealth inequality, overproduction, reliance on credit

What did women's contributions in WWI help achieve?

19th Amendment suffrage

What do the Palmer Raids illustrate?

Government suppression of suspected radicals during the Red Scare

What caused agricultural overproduction?

Mechanization and wartime expansion despite falling prices

Why was the 1920 census significant?

Majority urban rather than rural for the first time

What did League of Nations supporters argue?

Maintain peace via collective security and cooperation

What caused the rise of consumer culture?

Mass advertising, department stores, consumer credit

What was the effect of the Dawes Plan?

Stabilize Germany with restructured reparations and U.S. loans

What explains uneven prosperity?

Corporate profits soared; wages grew slowly

Why was the Sacco & Vanzetti case controversial?

Trial influenced by anti-immigrant/radical bias, weak evidence

What was U.S. foreign policy in the 1920s?

Political isolation and economic engagement and investment

How were gender norms challenged in the 1920s?

'New Woman'/flapper independence and sexuality

Why did businesses oppose unions?

Claimed unions were radical and inefficient; promoted open shops

How did radio influence society?

Creating shared national culture via mass communication

What was a long-term consequence of WWI?

Skepticism of entanglements leading to isolationism in the 1920s

How did the banking crisis worsen the Depression?

Risky investments with depositor money and low reserves

What caused the stock market crash to lead to a collapse?

Crash destroyed confidence, triggered bank failures, reduced credit