Imperialism/ World War I Study Guide

What was progressivism?

A reform movement in the late 1900s aimed at addressing social, political, and economic inequalities caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization.

Who were the Progressive Presidents?

Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson.

What is Imperialism?

Maintaining or extending power over foreign nations, particularly through expansionism.

What does Foreign Policy mean?

A government's strategy in dealing with other nations.

What is yellow journalism?

Writers exaggerated and made up stories to attract readers.

How long did the Spanish-American War last?

April 21, 1898, to August 13, 1898.

Who was Upton Sinclair?

An American muckraker who exposed cruel working conditions through his books during the Progressive Era.

What is nationalism?

An extreme love or sense of patriotism for one’s country.

What happened as a result of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

It was the main cause of World War I.

What were the Espionage and Sedition Acts?

Laws that limited freedom of speech and restricted public dissent against the war effort.

What was the Selective Service Act of 1917?

A law requiring men aged 21-30 to register for the draft to ensure enough troops for the war.

What was the Spanish Flu?

A severe pandemic in 1918-1919 that infected about one-third of the world's population and caused an estimated 50 million deaths.

What were Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

A framework for peace that included principles like Free Trade, Open Agreements, Democracy, and Self Determination.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

A peace treaty that formally ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers.

What was the League of Nations?

An international organization established in 1920 to promote peace but lacked U.S. participation due to Senate refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

What effect did the Spanish-American War have on the United States?

It demonstrated that the U.S. was a strong military power.

What sparked the growth of American imperialism in the late 1800s?

Economic and political competition among industrial nations and a belief in racial superiority.

What was the significance of George Cohan's song 'Over There'?

It became the most popular propaganda song during World War I.

Who was General John J. Pershing?

The lead commander of U.S. forces in Europe during World War I.

Why did the U.S. declare war on Germany in 1917?

Due to the sinking of naval ships and the Zimmerman Telegram.