Woodrow Wilson foreign affairs vocabulary

Moral Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policy that tried to support democratic governments and oppose dictators.

Jones Act (1916)

Law that promised the Philippines eventual independence and gave Filipinos more self-government.

General Victoriano Huerta

Mexican dictator who took power after a coup; the U.S. refused to recognize him.

Venustiano Carranza

Leader who opposed Huerta and later became president of Mexico.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary who attacked U.S. towns, leading to U.S. military action.

Tampico Incident

Conflict where Mexican forces arrested U.S. sailors,

Siege of Veracruz

U.S. military occupation of a Mexican port to weaken Huerta’s rule.

ABC Powers

Argentina, Brazil, and Chile; they helped mediate conflict between the U.S. and Mexico

General “Black Jack” Pershing

U.S. general sent to capture Pancho Villa in Mexico.

Long-term (root) causes of WWI

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism

Short-term (immediate) cause of WWI

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.

Central Powers / Allied Powers –

• Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

• Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia (later the U.S.)

“He Kept Us Out of War” / Neutrality Proclamation

Wilson’s promise to keep the U.S. out of WWI.

U-Boats

German submarines used to attack ships during WWI.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat, killing Americans.

Arabic / Sussex Pledge

German promises to warn ships before attacking and spare civilian lives.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (1917)

Germany’s policy of sinking ships without warning, including civilian ships.

Trench Warfare

Fighting from long trenches, common on the Western Front of WWI.

Zimmermann Note (1917)

German message asking Mexico to join the war against the U.S.

Wilson’s 14 Points

Wilson's plan for peace after WW1, focusing on reducing conflict, allowing nations to choose their own governments, and preventing future wars

• Freedom of the seas

• Every country needs to reduce their military 

• People need self determination 

• No secret Treaties 

• Create a league of nations to keep peace

League of Nations

International organization meant to prevent future wars.

Committee on Public Information

Government agency that promoted pro-war propaganda. It was led by George Creel

Espionage Act (1917) –

Law making it illegal to interfere with the war effort or draft.

Sedition Act (1918)

Law that punished people for criticizing the government or war.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Supreme Court case that limited free speech during wartime.

War Industries Board

Government agency that controlled wartime production.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities for jobs.

Paris Peace Conference

Meeting where world leaders decided the terms to end WWI.

Big Four

Leaders at the conference: Wilson (U.S.), Clemenceau (France), Lloyd George (Britain), Orlando (Italy).

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty that punished Germany and officially ended WWI.

Henry Cabot Lodge / Reservationists

Senator who wanted changes to the League of Nations before approval.

Irreconcilables

Senators who completely opposed the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations.