World War I - causes, America's involvement, Flashcards
World War I - causes, America’s involvement,
triggered by European alliances and nationalism, saw the US initially remain neutral but ultimately enter the war in 1917 due to unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram.
Militarism:
European powers engaged in a massive arms race, building up their militaries, which created a climate of tension and suspicion.
Alliances:
A complex web of alliances, such as the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), meant that a conflict in one region could quickly escalate into a wider war.
Imperialism:
Competition for colonies and resources among European powers led to conflicts and rivalries.
Nationalism:
Strong nationalistic sentiments, particularly in the Balkans, fueled ethnic tensions and desires for self-determination, which played a role in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir by a Serbian nationalist in 1914 served as the spark that ignited the war.
America’s Initial Neutrality:
When World War I broke out in 1914, the US initially declared its neutrality, with President Woodrow Wilson advocating for non-intervention.
Many Americans supported this policy of non-intervention, as they were hesitant to get drawn into a European conflict.
14 vs Versailles
14 point
Purpose:
To establish a framework for a just and lasting peace after World War I, emphasizing principles like self-determination, open diplomacy, and freedom of the seas.
Key Principles:
Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at.
Freedom of the seas.
Removal of economic barriers between nations.
Reduction of armaments.
Impartial adjustment of colonial claims.
Evacuation of occupied territories.
Self-determination for peoples.
Creation of a League of Nations to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity to great and small nations alike.
Versailles
Purpose:
To establish a framework for a just and lasting peace after World War I, emphasizing principles like self-determination, open diplomacy, and freedom of the seas.
Key Principles:
Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at.
Freedom of the seas.
Removal of economic barriers between nations.
Reduction of armaments.
Impartial adjustment of colonial claims.
Evacuation of occupied territories.
Self-determination for peoples.
Creation of a League of Nations to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity to great and small nations alike.
Roaring 20s - Jazz Age, consumerism, positives/negatives
consumerism, technological advancements, and a vibrant cultural scene, but also saw the rise of social tensions and ultimately led to the Great Depression.
Positives:
Economic Boom:
The 1920s saw a period of economic prosperity, with rising incomes and a booming economy.
Consumer Culture:
Mass production and advertising fueled a consumer culture, with new products like cars, appliances, and radios becoming increasingly accessible.
Technological Advancements:
Innovations like the automobile, radio, and movies transformed daily life and brought “modernity” to a wider population.
Social Change:
The decade saw women gain the right to vote, and a general spirit of liberation and experimentation, especially among younger generations.
Cultural Flourishing:
The Jazz Age saw the rise of jazz music, new dance styles, and a vibrant artistic and literary scene.
Increased Leisure Time:
New products and technologies made household chores easier, leading to more leisure time for many.
Negatives:
Economic Inequality:
While many benefited from the economic boom, significant inequalities persisted, with some groups facing hardship.
Social Tensions:
The decade saw the rise of nativism, anti-immigrant sentiments, and racial tensions, as well as the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.
Prohibition:
The implementation of Prohibition led to widespread disregard for the law and the rise of organized crime.
Over-Consumption and Credit:
The reliance on credit and the pursuit of consumer goods created unsustainable debt levels, which contributed to the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression.
Stock Market Crash:
The stock market crash of 1929 signaled the end of the Roaring Twenties and ushered in a period of economic hardship.
Red Scare:
An anti-communist “Red Scare” in 1919 and 1920 encouraged a widespread nativist and anti-immigrant hysteria.
Harlem Renaissance
Great Depression - causes, stock market crash, effects on Americans
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural explosion in the early 20th century, centered in Harlem, New York. It was a golden age for African American art, literature, and music, lasting roughly from the 1910s to the mid-1930s. This movement was fueled by the Great Migration, where African Americans moved from the South to northern cities seeking better opportunities. It fostered a sense of racial pride and identity, with figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston leading the charge.
The Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash of 1929, had devastating effects on Americans. Causes included excessive reliance on credit, uneven wealth distribution, and risky banking practices. The crash led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic instability, marking the end of the Harlem Renaissance as financial hardships overshadowed cultural pursuits. The Depression lasted until World War II, when wartime production revived the economy.
summary
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the early 20th century, celebrating African American art, literature, and music, largely shaped by the Great Migration. It fostered racial pride but waned as the Great Depression took hold. The Depression, sparked by the 1929 stock market crash, was caused by overuse of credit, wealth inequality, and risky banking. It brought widespread poverty and unemployment, lasting until World War II revitalized the economy.
