Unit 2: Topic 7 Study Guide Summary

Key Terms

• Wilson & Moral Diplomacy: U.S. foreign policy emphasizing moral principles in international relations.
• U.S. Neutrality and WWI: Initial stance of the U.S. avoiding involvement in the war; shifted due to various factors.
• "Rape" of Belgium (1914): German invasion and atrocities in Belgium that stirred American sympathy.
• Trench Warfare & Stalemate: Warfare characterized by opposition in trench systems; led to prolonged deadlock.
• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: German policy sinking merchant ships, influencing U.S. entry into the war.
• Zimmerman Telegram: Secret communication proposing a military alliance between Germany and Mexico, which outraged Americans.
• U.S. Contribution to the War Effort: Involvement included troops, resources, and industrial capabilities.
• Selective Service Act: Legislation authorizing the draft of men into military service during WWI.
• WWI "Codebreakers"/Choctaw Secret Code: Use of native languages for secure communication in the military.
• Committee on Public Information: Agency created to promote the war and influence public opinion.
• Four-Minute Men: Volunteers who gave short speeches to support war efforts and promote patriotism.
• Espionage & Sedition Acts: Laws restricting free speech and allowing for punishment of dissent during WWI.
• Race and America’s Armed Forces: Examines the participation and treatment of minorities in the military.
• Eugene V. Debs: Socialist leader who opposed U.S. involvement in WWI and was imprisoned for sedition.
• Red Scare: Fear of communism influencing American society post-WWI; led to repression of dissent.
• 1918 Flu Pandemic: Widespread flu outbreak impacting soldiers and civilian populations alike.
• "Great Migration": Mass movement of African Americans north for jobs and better living conditions during and after the war.
• Fourteen Points: Wilson's principles for peace negotiations post-war.
• Paris Peace Conference: Meeting where Allied powers negotiated terms to end WWI.
• Treaty of Versailles: Formal peace treaty ending WWI that imposed harsh penalties on Germany.
• Henry Cabot Lodge: U.S. Senator who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.
• League of Nations: International organization founded after WWI to promote peace; U.S. did not join.
• First Red Scare: Nationwide fear of communism, leading to the rejection of radical political movements.
• Red Summer: Series of racial riots in 1919, highlighting racial tensions in America.

Short Answer Questions

1. U.S. Intervention in WWI: Triggered by unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmerman telegram, and ongoing attacks on American ships.
2. Fourteen Points: Wilson's vision for post-war peace, promoting self-determination and international cooperation. He intended to prevent future wars but was largely unsuccessful at the Treaty of Versailles.
3. Committee on Public Information: Mobilized public opinion through propaganda; resulted in postwar anti-radicalism and coercive patriotism.
4. America’s Transition from War to Peace: Marked by economic and social unrest, leading to the Red Scare due to fears of communism and civil liberties regressions.
5. Watershed Year of 1919: Characterized by significant social changes, the onset of the Red Scare, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles.

Possible Essay Questions

1. U.S. Experience in WWI: Discuss the factors leading to U.S. entry, including Wilson’s War Policy, and consider the implications of the Treaty of Versailles.
2. Impact of WWI on American Society: Evaluate the war’s effect on economy, society, ethnic tensions, and civil liberties, contributing to the Red Scare and further societal divisions.