Test Review

World War I (WWI) ๐ŸŒโค

Key Topics:

  • Henry Cabot Lodgeโ€™s Opposition to the League of Nations/Treaty of Versailles: ๐ŸŒŸ A prominent Republican senator who said 'no thanks' to the Treaty of Versailles! He worried the League of Nations would pull the U.S. into overseas troubles without a thumbs up from Congress.

  • Main Points of the Treaty of Versailles: ๐Ÿ•Š This treaty brought WWI to a close and imposed big consequences on Germany. It also reshuffled borders, set up the League of Nations, and tried to keep peace through teamwork!

  • Effects of War on U.S. Economy: ๐Ÿ’ฐ The war was a boost for U.S. factories, kicking off a cheerleading economic boom! But after the confetti settled, the post-war blues hit with inflation and joblessness.

  • Reasons for U.S. Neutrality & Entry into WWI: ๐Ÿค” At first, the U.S. played it cool and stayed neutral, influenced by isolationist feels, trade interests, and a desire to dodge fights. But then came the Lusitania and other dramatic events in 1917 that changed the game.

  • Causes of WWI: ๐Ÿคฏ The main troublemakers were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism! And then there was the shocking assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which ignited the whole thing.

  • Fourteen Points (Woodrow Wilsonโ€™s peace plan): โœŒ President Wilson's plan for peace called for open talks, free trade, and helping nations decide their own futures, all leading to the idea of the League of Nations!

  • Isolationism: ๐Ÿ  After WWI, isolationism became popular in America. Everyone wanted to focus on home sweet home instead of tricky international affairs.

Great Depression & Dust Bowl ๐ŸŒพ๐Ÿ’”

Great Depression:

  • Causes: ๐Ÿ˜ข The stock market crash of 1929 and a string of bank troubles led to a sad economic fallout.

  • Economic Characteristics: ๐Ÿ“‰ Unemployment soared, poverty spread like a dark cloud, and prices dropped, changing the countryโ€™s social fabric.

  • President Hooverโ€™s Reaction: ๐Ÿ› Hoover thought individuals should be tough and self-reliant, which didnโ€™t sit well with folks struggling for help.

  • Hoovervilles: ๐Ÿš Shantytowns popped up, full of people without homes, reflecting tough times.

  • Reconstruction Finance Corporation: ๐Ÿ’ผ In 1932, this agency tried to save the day by helping banks and businesses stay afloat.

Dust Bowl:

  • Causes: ๐ŸŒต A heartbreaking drought in the 1930s combined with poor farming practices wrecked the earth, causing crops to fail.

  • Effects: ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€Families hit the road from Oklahoma to California hoping for better fortune, worsening the Great Depression.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) ๐ŸŒˆ

  • 1932 Election: ๐ŸŽ‰ FDR won decisively with promises of a New Deal, shaking up U.S. politics!

  • First Hundred Days: โณ It was all about action and solutions during FDR's first months, focusing on economic recovery.

  • Fireside Chats: ๐Ÿ“ป FDR spoke to the nation via radio, restoring faith and involving citizens in recovery efforts.

  • Court Packing: โš– This bold plan to expand the Supreme Court faced a lot of opposition but signified FDRโ€™s commitment to his New Deal programs.

  • New Deal Programs: ๐ŸŒŸ Relief, recovery, and reform were on FDRโ€™s list to combat the Great Depression, changing government involvement forever!

  • Alphabet Soup Agencies: ๐Ÿค— Programs like the AAA, SSA, NRA, CCC, and TVA were all about providing jobs and improving life.

  • Bank Holiday: ๐Ÿฆ FDR declared a temporary shut down for banks to restore calm and prevent chaos.

  • Changes in Government Role: ๐Ÿ— The New Deal reshaped how government participated in economic matters, paving the way for future programs.

  • Successes & Failures of the New Deal: ๐ŸŒˆ Great relief and reform happened, but some challenges and inequalities remained unsolved.

  • 21st Amendment: ๐Ÿป Bye-bye Prohibition, hello 21st Amendment! This change reflected how public views evolved regarding alcohol.

  • Charles Coughlin: ๐Ÿ“ป A radio priest who wanted even bigger changes to the economy while critiquing FDR.

  • John Steinbeck: ๐ŸŒพ The inspiring author of "The Grapes of Wrath" told the tale of struggling migrant workers, shining a light on social issues.

  • Eleanor Roosevelt: ๐Ÿ’ช A groundbreaking First Lady focused on civil rights and the needs of the people, changing the role of women in politics!

World War II (WWII) ๐ŸŒโš”

Pre-War Policies:

  • Cash and Carry: ๐Ÿ’ธ This policy said, 'Sure, weโ€™ll sell you goods, but you gotta pay cash and pick them up!' It marked a cautious shift away from strict neutrality.

  • Lend-Lease Act: ๐Ÿค In 1941, the U.S. began helping allies with military aid to bring down the Axis powers.

  • Neutrality Act of 1939: โŒ This act tried to keep America out of foreign wars while permitting arms sales on a cash-and-carry basis.

  • Isolationism: ๐Ÿšช Even with global tensions brewing, many Americans wanted to stay focused at home rather than jump into international squabbles.

Home Front & Social Impact:

  • Rosie the Riveter: ๐Ÿฆธโ€โ™€ The fabulous symbol of women joining the workforce, showing that women can do it all!

  • Rationing: ๐Ÿšฐ To save resources for the war, everyone had to make sacrifices, keeping everything from food to gasoline in check.

  • Executive Order 9066: ๐Ÿ“„ An order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans based on fear rather than facts.

  • Korematsu v. United States (1944): โš– A historic Supreme Court case that upheld Japanese internment, facing backlash for its impact on civil rights.

  • War Bonds & Victory Gardens: ๐ŸŒฑ Citizens helped fund the war by buying bonds and planting gardens, showcasing teamwork and creativity!

Role of Minorities:

  • Tuskegee Airmen: โœˆ A brave group of African American pilots who wowed everyone and challenged racial stereotypes during WWII.

  • Flying Tigers: ๐Ÿฏ An American volunteer group that helped China, becoming a beacon of support!

  • Navajo Code Talkers: ๐ŸŒŠ Native Americans who used their language to create unbreakable codes, integral to military success!

Key Battles & Events:

  • Battle of Midway: ๐ŸŽ– A major naval victory in June 1942, turning the tide in the Pacific!

  • Bataan Death March: ๐Ÿ’” A tragic forced march that showcased the horrific consequences of war.

  • D-Day (June 6, 1944): ๐ŸŒŠ The grand Allied invasion of France, leading to major advances in Europe!

Dictators & Fascism:

  • Definition of Fascism: ๐Ÿšซ A serious political ideology of dictatorship and extreme nationalism that spells trouble.

  • Key Dictators: โš” Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo were pivotal figures leading fascist regimes, pushing for expansion and conflict!

Major WWII Events:

  • Japanโ€™s Imperialistic Goals: ๐Ÿ—บ Japan aimed for dominance in Asia and the Pacific, stirring big conflicts!

  • Attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941): ๐Ÿ“… This surprise attack launched the U.S. into WWII, signaling a full-scale war effort.

Atomic Bomb:

  • Creation: ๐Ÿ’ฅ The Manhattan Project aimed to develop atomic weapons to swiftly end the conflict.

  • Dropping on Hiroshima & Nagasaki (Aug. 1945): โ˜ข The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan, leading to surrender and the end of the war.

Military Leaders:

  • Omar Bradley: ๐Ÿ… A pivotal U.S. general during key victories in Europe.

  • Dwight Eisenhower: ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ The Supreme Allied Commander who led D-Day!

  • Chester Nimitz: ๐ŸŒŠ Commander of the Pacific Fleet making strategic moves!

  • Douglas MacArthur: ๐ŸŒŸ Promised to return after the Philippines fell and did!

  • George Marshall: ๐ŸŽ– Oversaw military mobilization and created the Marshall Plan for post-war recovery!

  • George Patton: ๐Ÿš™ Known for his dynamic tank warfare, leading swift advances in Europe!