WW1 Review Guide Flashcards
(29 cards)
Causes of WWI: MANIA
M - Militarism: Nations built up strong militaries and prepared for war, creating an arms race.
A - Alliances: Countries formed alliances for mutual protection, making small conflicts escalate into larger wars.
N - Nationalism: Intense pride in one’s nation led to competition and conflict between European powers.
I - Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies, increasing tensions over territories.
A - Assassination: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary triggered the war.
Neutrality (U.S. Policy in WWI)
The U.S. initially followed a policy of neutrality, aiming to avoid involvement in the European conflict.
President Woodrow Wilson declared the U.S. neutral when the war broke out in 1914.
U.S. trade with both the Allies and the Central Powers continued, but tensions rose due to unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany.
Causes for the U.S. to Enter WWI
- Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: German U-boats targeted civilian and commercial ships, including American vessels (e.g., Lusitania).
- Zimmermann Telegram: A secret German proposal to Mexico to join the war against the U.S. was intercepted, angering Americans.
- Economic Interests: U.S. banks and businesses had strong financial ties to the Allied powers.
- Ideological Reasons: President Wilson framed U.S. involvement as a fight for democracy and to “make the world safe for democracy.”
Most Immediate Cause of U.S. Entry into WWI
The Zimmermann Telegram was the most immediate cause. The German attempt to form an alliance with Mexico against the U.S. provoked outrage and led to a declaration of war on Germany.
Selective Service Act (1917)
The Selective Service Act was passed to draft soldiers into the U.S. military during WWI.
It required all men aged 21 to 30 to register for the draft, eventually expanding to ages 18 to 45.
The act resulted in millions of American men being inducted into military service.
Committee on Public Information (CPI)
Established by President Wilson to propagandize the war effort.
Led by George Creel, the CPI used posters, films, speeches, and pamphlets to promote support for WWI and vilify the Central Powers, especially Germany.
It played a role in shaping public opinion and maintaining morale.
Liberty Bonds
Liberty Bonds were issued by the U.S. government to raise funds for the war effort.
Citizens were encouraged to buy bonds, which they could redeem later with interest.
The bonds became a symbol of patriotic support for the war.
Increased Migration of African Americans during WWI
Due to labor shortages caused by the war, African Americans moved from the South to northern cities in what became known as the Great Migration.
They sought better job opportunities, improved living conditions, and to escape racial segregation in the South.
The migration contributed to the growth of African American communities in urban centers like New York, Chicago, and Detroit.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
The Schenck v. United States case involved Charles Schenck, who was convicted for distributing anti-draft leaflets.
The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, ruling that free speech could be limited if it presented a “clear and present danger” to national security.
The decision established a precedent for restricting certain forms of speech during wartime.
Wilson’s 14 Points
Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points were a set of principles aimed at achieving lasting peace after WWI.
Key points included:
Open diplomacy (no secret treaties)
Freedom of the seas
Reduction of arms
Self-determination for nations
The creation of a League of Nations to promote peace and prevent future conflicts.
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization created as part of the Treaty of Versailles to promote peace and cooperation.
Wilson advocated for its creation, believing it could prevent future wars through diplomacy and collective security.
It was meant to resolve international disputes and promote disarmament.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including:
Reparations for war damages
Territorial losses (e.g., the Saar Basin, colonies)
Military restrictions (limiting Germany’s army to 100,000)
The treaty also created new nations in Europe and the Middle East, including Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.
Senate Objection to the League of Nations
The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.
Many Senators were concerned that joining the League would compromise U.S. sovereignty and drag the nation into unnecessary international conflicts.
Isolationists, led by figures like Henry Cabot Lodge, argued that the League’s collective security provisions would entangle the U.S. in foreign disputes.
3 Main Reasons for Imperialism
Economic Interests: Imperialism allowed nations to access new markets for their goods and secure raw materials. The U.S. sought economic dominance through overseas territories.
Military/Strategic Interests: Building a strong naval presence and gaining control over key territories allowed the U.S. to project power globally and secure military bases.
Cultural and Racial Superiority: The belief in the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race and the idea of the “White Man’s Burden” motivated many to expand and “civilize” non-Western people.
Territories that the U.S. Took Over
Hawaii: Annexed in 1898, becoming a U.S. state in 1959.
Philippines: Acquired after the Spanish-American War in 1898; became a U.S. colony until 1946.
Puerto Rico: Also gained in 1898 after the Spanish-American War; it remains a U.S. territory.
Guam: Became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War.
American Samoa: A U.S. territory since 1900.
Panama: The U.S. controlled the Panama Canal Zone from 1903 until 1999.
U.S. Annexation of Hawaii and Queen Liliuokalani
Hawaii was annexed in 1898 after American businessmen overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, aided by U.S. Marines.
Queen Liliuokalani had attempted to restore power to native Hawaiians, but the U.S. saw strategic and economic value in the islands.
The U.S. annexed Hawaii to expand its influence in the Pacific, including for military purposes.
Explosion of the USS Maine
The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in Cuba on February 15, 1898, killing over 250 American sailors.
The cause of the explosion was unclear, but yellow journalism (sensationalist press) blamed Spain, fueling public outcry.
The incident was one of the key events that led to the Spanish-American War.
Yellow Journalism
Yellow journalism refers to sensationalized, exaggerated, and often false reporting aimed at attracting readers and stirring public emotions.
Newspapers like William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World played a key role in pushing for war with Spain, particularly after the explosion of the USS Maine.
Yellow journalism often distorted facts to create sympathy for Cuban independence and rally support for the U.S. war effort.
Spanish-American War (1898)
The Spanish-American War was fought between the U.S. and Spain in 1898. It lasted about four months.
Causes included the Cuban struggle for independence, the explosion of the USS Maine, and American economic and strategic interests.
The war resulted in the Treaty of Paris (1898), where Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S., and gave up control of Cuba.
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy was proposed by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, aimed at ensuring that all nations would have equal trading rights in China.
It was primarily designed to protect American commercial interests in Asia and prevent the division of China into exclusive spheres of influence by European powers.
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal was a man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903 and secured control of the canal zone.
It was completed in 1914 and became a vital route for international trade and military movements.
U.S. Forces in Latin America
The U.S. frequently deployed military forces in Latin America in the early 1900s, motivated by economic, political, and strategic interests.
These interventions were often aimed at maintaining stability, protecting U.S. investments, and preventing European influence in the region.
These military interventions were highly controversial, often creating resentment in Latin American countries. Many saw U.S. actions as imperialistic, leading to long-lasting tensions and distrust between the U.S. and many Latin American nations.
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary (1904) was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize the region if they were unable to maintain order.
The Corollary justified U.S. intervention in Latin America as a way to prevent European powers from gaining influence in the Western Hemisphere.
It led to numerous U.S. interventions in countries like the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Big Stick, Dollar, and Moral Diplomacy
Big Stick Diplomacy: Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to foreign policy, which emphasized the use of military power to achieve U.S. goals. The phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick” captured this strategy.
Dollar Diplomacy: Promoted by President William Howard Taft, it aimed to use American economic power (investment and loans) to influence Latin American and East Asian countries, thereby extending U.S. influence without military force.
Moral Diplomacy: President Woodrow Wilson’s policy of promoting democracy and human rights abroad, rejecting imperialism, and supporting governments that aligned with American democratic values.
