WWI Flashcards
Allies
Russia, France, Serbia, and Great Britain (Later US, Italy and Japan)
American position at start
Neutral
Why neutral?
Mostly trade reasons, American investment increased from 700 million to 3.5 billion
How did the public react?
Some felt personally involved (1/3 immigrants or children of), most favored allies because they identified with British culture
What is propaganda?
Information intended to sway public opinion
How did Britain use propaganda to sway the US into joining the war?
Printed false propaganda about Germans to gain support; German Kaiser most attacked because the strong rule opposed views of democracy
What was the preparedness movement?
Led by business leaders tied to Britain, they wanted US to just be prepared to aid Britain if necessary, also persuaded gov to set up camps to train men for combat (1915)
What is a stalemate?
A situation in which neither side is able to gain the advantage
Why did the US declare war?
German provocation, and the Zimmerman note
What was the sinking of Lusitania
The Brit passenger ship off the coast of Ireland which killed 128 Americans and contributed to the US decision to join the war with the allies
How did US prepare for war
At first, we just sent money, naval support, arms and very little troops (14,500)
What is the Zimmerman note?
The telegram from the German foreign minister to a German ambassador in Mexico which proposed an alliance and promised that Mexico would get Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back and was intercepted by Brits
What is the selective service act of 1917
An act which authorized a draft of young men for military service, 24 million registered for draft by 1918
What is the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)
The group of volunteers, national guardsmen, and drafted soldiers in the war
What is patriotism
The love of ones country and the willingness to fight and defend its ideals and institutions, a very important part of the war effort
What is a liberty bond?
Special war bond to support the Allied cause
What is a bond and what did they do?
An investment in the country which is redeemed later for the original value plus interest. Raised more than 20 billion, allowed US to pay for 1/4 of war costs and send 10 billion to allies
What is the war industries board?
Oversaw nation’s war related production and told manufacturers what and how much to make and even fixed prices
What is the war trade board?
It licensed foreign trade and punished firms suspected of dealing with the enemy
What is the national war labor board?
Worked to settle any labor disputes that might disrupt war effort
Who promised to limit labor problems during war?
Samuel Gompers
What are price controls?
A system of pricing determined by the government on the sale of food
What is rationing?
Distributing goods to consumers in a fixed amount
What did rationing encourage?
“Gospel of a clean plate”- no wasting, victory gardens (people grow their own food to eat)
Results: tripled food shipments to allies
Central Powers
Germany and Austria Hungary (later Turkey)
What is daylight savings time?
Turning clocks ahead one hour for the summer increased daylight hours available
How did we enforce loyalty
New and information under gov control, imposed censorship on media, do things that support the war and patriotism
What was the fear of foreigners?
They feared spying (espionage) which was a major concern for gov. Secret agents may try to undermine the war effort by sabotaging communication and transportation
What is the espionage and sedition act So?
Made it illegal to interfere with war effort or saying anything disloyal , abusive, or profane about the gov
What is sedition?
Any speech or action that encourages rebellion
What did war do to immigration
It virtually stopped the flow of immigrants into the US
Why were women and African Americans involved?
War stopped flow of immigrants, young men were fighting in the war, and companies needed workers, so they were hired in higher paying jobs
How many total people were killed in WWI
22,000,000
How many total were wounded?
21,228,000
What were the US’s casualties?
48,000 men killed in battle, 62,000 died of disease, more than 200,000 wounded
What were Wilsons 14 points?
The 1918 proposal for peace in post war Europe, which called for an end to secret treaties, removal of trade barriers, reduction of military forces, and Austria Hungarian ethnic groups o have self determination
What is self determination?
The power to make decisions about one’s own future
What is a spoil
Rewards gained after war victory
What was Wilson’s goal?
To establish a permanent agency where countries work together to resolve conflicts peacefully
Who were the Big Four?
Britain, US, France, Italy
What is the League of Nations
An organization in which the nation’s of the world would join together to ensure security and peace. Congress did not support it
What is a reparation
Payment for the economic injury suffered during the war
How much did Germany owe allies and why is it important?
33 billion, Germans never forgave or got over humiliation
What happened after Germany refused to sign the treaty of Versailles?
France threatened another invasion, and the treaty was sign on June 28, 1919
