WW1 Review Guide

Question 1

Causes of WWI: MANIA

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Neutrality (U.S. Policy in WWI)

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Causes for the U.S. to Enter WWI

Answer 3

1. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: German U-boats targeted civilian and commercial ships, including American vessels (e.g., Lusitania).
2. Zimmermann Telegram: A secret German proposal to Mexico to join the war against the U.S. was intercepted, angering Americans.
3. Economic Interests: U.S. banks and businesses had strong financial ties to the Allied powers.
4. Ideological Reasons: President Wilson framed U.S. involvement as a fight for democracy and to “make the world safe for democracy.”

Question 4

Most Immediate Cause of U.S. Entry into WWI

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Selective Service Act (1917)

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Liberty Bonds

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Increased Migration of African Americans during WWI

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Wilson’s 14 Points

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

League of Nations

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Senate Objection to the League of Nations

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

3 Main Reasons for Imperialism

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Territories that the U.S. Took Over

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

U.S. Annexation of Hawaii and Queen Liliuokalani

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Explosion of the USS Maine

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Yellow Journalism

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Spanish-American War (1898)

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Open Door Policy

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Panama Canal

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

U.S. Forces in Latin America

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Roosevelt Corollary

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Big Stick, Dollar, and Moral Diplomacy

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Anti-Imperialist Arguments

Answer 25

Moral and Ethical Concerns: Opponents believed imperialism contradicted American values of liberty and self-determination.

Racial Prejudice: Some feared that annexing non-white territories would lead to racial conflict and a loss of American identity.

Economic Costs: Critics argued that maintaining overseas colonies would be costly and could drag the U.S. into unnecessary conflicts.

Political and Constitutional Concerns: Some believed that imperialism violated the principles of the U.S. Constitution and undermined democracy by ruling over people without their consent.

Question 26

How was Teddy Roosevelt a Progressive President?

Answer 26

Trust-Busting: Roosevelt fought against monopolies and trusts that stifled competition and exploited workers. He famously filed lawsuits against companies like Standard Oil and Northern Securities to break up large corporations.

Regulation of Business: Roosevelt advocated for stronger government regulation of big businesses, particularly in industries like railroads and food. He helped create the Hepburn Act (1906), which strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroads and protect consumers.

Conservation: Roosevelt was a strong proponent of environmental conservation. He expanded national parks, forests, and wildlife reserves, creating the National Parks Service and preserving millions of acres of land for future generations.

Labor Rights: Roosevelt supported labor reforms and worked to improve working conditions. He intervened in the 1902 Coal Strike, mediating a compromise between miners and mine owners to end the strike and improve wages and working conditions.

Square Deal: Roosevelt’s domestic agenda, known as the Square Deal, aimed to balance the needs of business, labor, and consumers, ensuring fairness for all. This included regulating trusts, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources.

Question 27

How was Taft a Progressive President?

Answer 27

Trust-Busting: Like Roosevelt, William Howard Taft continued the policy of breaking up monopolies. He filed more antitrust suits than Roosevelt, including action against U.S. Steel, which caused a split between Taft and Roosevelt.

Regulation of Business: Taft expanded Roosevelt’s regulatory policies, most notably by strengthening the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and enforcing the Sherman Antitrust Act more aggressively.

Conservation: Taft made significant contributions to conservation, although his record was more controversial than Roosevelt’s. He established the Bureau of Mines to manage public lands and protect resources but was criticized for allowing some lands to be opened up for development.

Progressive Tax Reforms: Taft supported income tax reform (leading to the 16th Amendment) and the establishment of the Postal Savings System. He also supported the 8-hour workday for federal employees.

Split with Roosevelt and the Republican Party: Despite his progressive accomplishments, Taft’s administration was marked by a split with Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt became dissatisfied with Taft’s policies, especially his handling of trust-busting and conservation, leading to the 1912 Republican split and Roosevelt’s return to politics.

Question 28

Split with the Republican Party (1912)

Answer 28

Progressive vs. Conservative: In 1912, the Republican Party became divided between the progressive wing (led by Roosevelt) and the conservative wing (led by Taft). Roosevelt believed Taft had moved away from progressive ideals, especially in trust-busting and conservation.

Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism”: Roosevelt’s platform, called New Nationalism, called for stronger regulation of business, social justice reforms, and a more active government. He believed in expanding federal power to achieve progressive goals.

Taft’s “Old Guard” Conservatives: Taft, supported by the conservative wing of the Republican Party, favored a more limited role for government in regulating business and was less supportive of bold reforms.

Formation of the Bull Moose Party: When Taft secured the Republican nomination for president in 1912, Roosevelt and his supporters broke away and formed the Progressive Party, often called the Bull Moose Party. This split allowed Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency.

Question 29

How was Wilson a Progressive President?

Answer 29

New Freedom: Wilson’s domestic policy, called New Freedom, focused on breaking up monopolies, reducing tariffs, and reforming the banking system. He believed in limiting the power of large corporations and supporting small businesses and farmers.

Trust-Busting: Wilson aggressively attacked monopolies and trusts. His administration passed the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914), which strengthened antitrust laws and protected unions from being targeted as monopolies.

Federal Reserve Act (1913): Wilson established the Federal Reserve System, a central banking system to regulate the nation’s money supply, stabilize the economy, and prevent future financial crises.

Progressive Taxation: Wilson supported a graduated income tax (the 16th Amendment) and signed the Underwood Tariff Act (1913), which lowered tariffs and introduced the first federal income tax.

Labor Rights: Wilson supported labor reforms, including the Adamson Act (1916), which established an 8-hour workday for railroad workers. He also supported the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which protected consumers and workers from unfair business practices.

Women’s Suffrage: Wilson eventually supported the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, after years of campaigning by suffragists.