Note
Studied by 17 peopleUS History II Honors Ch 2 TEST
Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination in Sarajevo in June 1914 triggered the outbreak of World War I. His death led to Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia, setting off a chain reaction of alliances and declarations of war.
Kaiser Wilhelm II: The Emperor of Germany from 1888 to 1918. His aggressive foreign policy, militarism, and support for Austria-Hungary contributed to the tensions leading to World War I. He abdicated in 1918 as the war came to an end.
Militarism: A belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war. Militarism played a significant role in the escalation of World War I, as countries like Germany, Britain, and France expanded their militaries in response to growing tensions.
Triple Alliance: A military alliance formed before World War I between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. It was one of the main alliances during the war, but Italy later switched sides in 1915 to join the Allies.
Triple Entente: An alliance between France, Russia, and Britain before World War I. It counterbalanced the Triple Alliance and was later joined by other nations, forming the Allied Powers.
Balance of Power: A political and military strategy to ensure that no one nation or alliance becomes dominant over others. The balance of power in Europe was upset leading to World War I as countries formed opposing alliances.
Central Powers: The coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I. They fought against the Allied Powers and were defeated at the end of the war.
Allied Powers: The coalition of nations, including France, Britain, Russia, Italy (later in the war), Japan, and the United States, which opposed the Central Powers in World War I.
Trench warfare: A type of combat in which soldiers fought from long, deep trenches. It was a characteristic feature of World War I, particularly on the Western Front, leading to high casualties and a stalemate.
Lusitania: A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. The incident helped shift American opinion toward entering the war.
Isolationism: A policy of avoiding political or military involvement with other countries. The United States initially adopted isolationism during World War I, only to be drawn into the war in 1917.
U-boats: German submarines used during World War I to blockade and attack Allied shipping. They played a crucial role in the naval warfare and the sinking of ships like the Lusitania.
Sussex Pledge: A promise made by Germany in 1916 to the United States that it would not sink merchant ships without warning. It was a response to American protests over unrestricted submarine warfare.
Zimmermann Note: A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917, proposing a military alliance in exchange for German support in Mexico regaining territory lost to the U.S. (such as Texas and Arizona). Its interception by the U.S. helped push the U.S. into the war.
Selective Service Act: A law passed in 1917 that authorized the U.S. government to draft men into military service during World War I. It expanded the U.S. military to meet the demands of the war.
Convoy system: A strategy used by the Allies during World War I where merchant ships traveled in groups protected by military escorts to prevent attacks by German U-boats.
Communists: Members of a political movement advocating for the establishment of a society based on communal ownership and the absence of private property. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Russia withdrew from the war, and the Bolsheviks led the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Liberty bonds: U.S. government bonds sold to the public to finance the war effort. Citizens were encouraged to buy them to support military expenditures.
Bernard Baruch: A financier and head of the War Industries Board, which coordinated the production of war materials in the United States during World War I.
National War Labor Board: Established in 1918 to mediate disputes between workers and employers during World War I to ensure continued production of war materials and to prevent strikes.
Committee on Public Information: A U.S. government agency created to promote support for the war through propaganda, including posters, speeches, films, and other media.
George Creel: Head of the Committee on Public Information, responsible for creating pro-war propaganda that helped shape public opinion in favor of the U.S. involvement in World War I.
Propaganda: Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause. During World War I, propaganda was used by both the Allies and the Central Powers to influence public opinion and boost morale.
Schneck v. United States: A 1919 U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck, who had been distributing anti-draft pamphlets during World War I. The Court ruled that speech that posed a "clear and present danger" could be restricted.
Fourteen Points: A proposal by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 for a peace settlement following World War I. It called for open diplomacy, free trade, the reduction of armaments, and the establishment of the League of Nations to ensure lasting peace.
Self-determination: The principle that nations and peoples should have the right to determine their own political fate. This was part of Wilson's Fourteen Points and was particularly relevant to the ethnic groups in Central and Eastern Europe after World War I.
League of Nations: An international organization established after World War I as part of the Treaty of Versailles. Its goal was to promote peace and prevent future conflicts, though the U.S. never joined, and it was ultimately ineffective in preventing World War II.
David Lloyd George: The British Prime Minister during World War I and a key member of the "Big Four" at the Paris Peace Conference, where he advocated for a peace settlement that would satisfy British interests.
Georges Clemenceau: The French Prime Minister during World War I and another member of the "Big Four." He sought to ensure that Germany would be punished and weakened after the war to prevent future threats to France.
Big Four: The leaders of the four main Allied Powers—Woodrow Wilson (U.S.), David Lloyd George (Britain), Georges Clemenceau (France), and Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (Italy)—who played a dominant role in shaping the post-war settlement at the Paris Peace Conference.
Reparations: Payments made by a defeated country to compensate for war damages. Germany was required to pay reparations under the Treaty of Versailles as part of the terms of its defeat in World War I.
Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations. It also established the League of Nations.
Henry Cabot Lodge: A U.S. Senator and leader of the opposition to the Treaty of Versailles in the Senate. He was particularly against the U.S. joining the League of Nations, arguing it would limit U.S. sovereignty. His opposition prevented the U.S. from ratifying the treaty.
Historical Foundations for American Foreign Policy
This refers to the key principles, ideas, and precedents that shaped U.S. foreign policy over time. These include the Monroe Doctrine (which warned European powers against interfering in the Americas), Manifest Destiny (the belief in expanding U.S. territory), and isolationism (a reluctance to become involved in European conflicts). These foundations helped shape American actions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly during the age of imperialism and in World War I.
Locations Associated with American Imperialism
Key locations where the U.S. exercised imperial control or influence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries include:
Hawaii: Annexed by the U.S. in 1898.
Philippines: Acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Puerto Rico: Also acquired from Spain in 1898.
Cuba: After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. exerted political influence over Cuba (particularly through the Platt Amendment).
Panama: The U.S. supported Panama's independence from Colombia and gained control over the Panama Canal Zone. These areas were important for military and economic expansion.
Causes for American Imperialism
Several factors drove American imperialism:
Economic Interests: Desire for new markets for goods and access to raw materials.
Military Strategy: A belief in the need for naval bases and military presence abroad.
Cultural Superiority: Social Darwinism and the belief in the U.S. "civilizing" mission, often expressed as the duty to spread democracy and Christianity.
Manifest Destiny: The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the globe, not just the continent.
Anti-Imperialist Sentiment
This was the opposition to U.S. imperialism, particularly after the Spanish-American War. Critics, including figures like Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie, argued that imperialism violated American principles of democracy and self-determination. They believed it was morally wrong and economically harmful, and it could lead to unnecessary conflicts.
McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson
These four presidents were significant in shaping American foreign policy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries:
William McKinley (1897-1901): Led the U.S. into the Spanish-American War and supported imperial expansion (e.g., annexing Hawaii, acquiring the Philippines).
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909): Advocated for a more assertive foreign policy with the Big Stick approach, emphasizing military readiness and interventionism (e.g., Panama Canal).
William Howard Taft (1909-1913): Promoted Dollar Diplomacy, which sought to extend American influence through economic investment, particularly in Latin America and Asia.
Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921): Focused on promoting democracy and human rights but also intervened in Latin American and Caribbean affairs (e.g., Mexico, Panama). Wilson led the U.S. into World War I and helped establish the League of Nations.
Roosevelt Corollary
An extension of the Monroe Doctrine articulated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. It stated that the U.S. would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and protect U.S. interests, essentially justifying intervention in the Western Hemisphere.
Big Stick Policy
The phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick" reflected Roosevelt’s approach to foreign policy: negotiation was preferred, but military strength (especially the navy) would be used if necessary to protect U.S. interests, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
USS Maine
A U.S. Navy ship whose explosion in Havana harbor in 1898 triggered the Spanish-American War. Though the cause of the explosion was unclear, it was widely blamed on Spain, leading to public outcry and the U.S. declaration of war.
Yellow Journalism
Sensationalized, exaggerated news reporting that played a major role in rallying public support for the Spanish-American War. Newspapers like William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World used dramatic and often misleading stories to stir emotions and push for war with Spain.
Panama Canal
A massive engineering project completed in 1914, which connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The U.S. supported Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, and in return, Panama gave the U.S. control over the canal zone. It was a major strategic and economic achievement.
Open Door Policy
A policy proposed by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, calling for equal trading rights for all nations in China. It was designed to prevent European and Japanese dominance in Chinese markets and to ensure that the U.S. had access to Chinese trade.
Spanish-American War Cause/Effect; Economic Impact; Political Impact; Influential Individuals Involved
Causes: The explosion of the USS Maine, yellow journalism, U.S. economic interests in Cuba, and the desire to expand U.S. influence were key factors.
Effects: The U.S. gained territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines and became a global imperial power. The war marked the end of Spain’s colonial empire.
Economic Impact: The U.S. gained access to new markets and resources, especially from the Philippines and Puerto Rico.
Political Impact: The war marked the U.S.’s transition to a world power with overseas territories and a more active role in global politics.
Influential Individuals: Theodore Roosevelt (notably through the Rough Riders), William McKinley, and figures like Admiral George Dewey, who won a major victory in Manila Bay.
Foraker Act
Passed in 1900, it established civilian government in Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War. It allowed the U.S. to control Puerto Rico's political and economic systems while granting limited self-government.
Teller Amendment vs. Platt Amendment
Teller Amendment (1898): A resolution passed by Congress stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War, but instead would allow Cubans to govern themselves.
Platt Amendment (1901): An amendment to the Cuban constitution that allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and established a U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. It essentially limited Cuban sovereignty.
WWI (World War I)
Now, shifting to World War I, these terms are significant as they help explain the causes, major events, and outcomes of the war:
Militarism: A key cause of World War I, where European nations built up large armies and navies, leading to an arms race.
Alliance Systems: The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia) formed two opposing blocs, which made the war a global conflict when one country was drawn into the war.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand: His assassination by a Serbian nationalist was the immediate spark for World War I.
U-Boat Warfare: German submarines targeted military and civilian ships, leading to the U.S. entry into the war after the sinking of the Lusitania.
Zimmermann Note: A secret German proposal to Mexico to join the war against the U.S., which further angered the American public and led to U.S. involvement.
Selective Service Act: The U.S. government’s draft law to build a large army for the war effort.
Lusitania: The British ship sunk by German U-boats, resulting in the deaths of American passengers, a major factor in U.S. entry into the war.
Propaganda: The use of media by the U.S. government to rally support for the war effort and demonize the enemy.
Treaty of Versailles: The peace agreement that ended World War I, placing heavy penalties on Germany and reshaping Europe. It led to tensions that contributed to World War II.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points: President Woodrow Wilson’s plan for post-war peace, emphasizing self-determination and the creation of the League of Nations.