APUSH 7.5- WWl; Military and Diplomacy

Causes of WWl

A complex web of alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand being the immediate catalyst for the conflict.

neutrality

the policy of not taking sides in a conflict, aimed at maintaining peace and avoiding involvement in military alliances.

Allied powers

The coalition of nations, including France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and later the United States, that opposed the Central Powers during World War I.

Central powers

the coalition of nations led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I, opposing the Allied Powers.

submarine warfare

a naval strategy involving the use of submarines to attack enemy ships, particularly during World War I.

Lusitania

A British ocean liner that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, leading to international outrage and contributing to the United States' entry into World War I.

Sussex pledge

A promise made by Germany to the United States during World War I to limit unrestricted submarine warfare and ensure the safety of passenger vessels.

Debate over War

a discussion among Americans regarding whether to enter World War I, reflecting varying opinions on isolationism and intervention.

election of 1916

The presidential election in which incumbent President Woodrow Wilson campaigned on the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War," yet faced pressure to join World War I.

Jeannette Rankin

the first woman elected to the United States Congress, who was a strong advocate for peace and opposed the United States' entry into World War I.

Zimmermann Telegram

A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States.

Russian Revolution

A pair of revolutions in 1917 that led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, resulting in the establishment of a communist government under the Bolsheviks.

declaration of war

a formal announcement by a nation to engage in armed conflict against another nation, typically following significant diplomatic disputes or acts of aggression.

American Expeditionary Force

The U.S. armed forces sent to Europe during World War I, commanded by General John J. Pershing, to support Allied forces.

John J. Pershing

The military force led by General John J. Pershing during World War I, consisting of American troops sent to Europe to fight alongside Allied forces.

Western Front

The main theater of war during World War I, located in France and Belgium, characterized by trench warfare and significant battles between the Allied and Central Powers.

November 11, 1918

The date when World War I officially ended, marked by the armistice agreement between the Allied Powers and Germany.

“peace without victory”

A phrase used by President Woodrow Wilson advocating for a fair and just peace following World War I, without imposing harsh penalties on the defeated Central Powers.

Fourteen Points

A proposal by President Woodrow Wilson aimed at outlining a strategy for peace after World War I, emphasizing self-determination, free trade, and the establishment of a League of Nations.

Big Four

The term refers to the four primary leaders who attended the Paris Peace Conference of 1919: President Woodrow Wilson of the United States, Prime Minister David Lloyd George of the United Kingdom, Premier Georges Clemenceau of France, and Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando of Italy. They played key roles in shaping the post-war order and the Treaty of Versailles.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 agreement that formally ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Article X

A provision in the League of Nations Covenant that called for member nations to assist one another in the event of aggression, emphasizing collective security.

self-determination

The principle that nations should have the right to govern themselves and make their own political decisions, particularly significant in post-World War I contexts.

League of Nations

An international organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries, aiming to prevent future conflicts.

Debate over Treaty

of Versailles

Henry Cabot Lodge

A prominent U.S. senator who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, advocating for American sovereignty.

Irreconcilables

Senators who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and any American involvement in the League of Nations, believing it undermined U.S. sovereignty.

Reservationists

A group of U.S. senators led by Henry Cabot Lodge who supported the Treaty of Versailles only if specific changes were made, particularly regarding the League of Nations.

rejection of the treaty

by the U.S. Senate after World War I, reflecting concerns over commitments to international organizations.