War But Performative
With the goal to establish peace terms between Germany and the Allied Powers, this agreement took place during the Paris Peace Conference. Stating that Germany had to lose 10% of its prewar territory, give up all overseas colonies, disarm their military, pay reparations, and accept responsibility for the war, this led to Germany's resentment, and heightened tensions.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Resulting from the Russian Revolution and the success of the Bolshevik party, the US became increasingly xenophobic and paranoid of the "spread of communism". An era characterized by an increase in strikes and changing political beliefs, the results of this was fear of organized labor, progressivism, and socialism.
First Red Scare (1917-1920)
One of the closest elections in history, won by the incumbent. The nation debated whether to join WW1 or stay neutral. The winning candidate's platform discussed domestic reform, emphasized peace, and how "He Kept Us Out Of The War".
Election of 1916
Set of agreements by Germany after WW1, stating that they would repay the Allies for reparations. Stated that Germany's annual payments were reduced and would increase over time. In order to make payment possible, the US gave Germany a loan of $200 million, making Germany dependent on US loans, and increasing economic pressure both in Germany and the US.
Dawes Plan (1924)
Leader of the Mexican Revolution, participated in the Battle of Columbus in 1916. During the Revolution, he fought against the cruel regime of the hacienda system; advocated for agrarian reform, social justice, and the redistribution of land from wealthy elite landowners to the people. Unfortunatley, his raids into the US led to his assassination.
Pancho Villa (1911)
A british passenger ship that was sunk by a German u-boat, killing 1,198 civilians. The sinking of many passenger ships led to the US joining WW1, and a rise in laws prohibiting war vessels from attacking civilian ships. This was part of a larger trend where submarines would engage in maritime war without regards of borders, nondiscrimitory of the ships they sank.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare & Lusitania (1915)
Two different laws; one stated that the US could only accept 3% of the amount of immigrants (Eastern and Southern Europeans) from 1910, the other limited the number to 2% of immigrants from 1890. Led to the creation of the Border Patrol, and was a result of a growing fear of immigrants and xenophobia during the Red Scare.
Immigration Quota Laws (1921 & 1924)
Proposed by President Wilson, this described his goals for peace between nations following the end of WW1, and wanted to identofy the causes of the war. This included open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, disarming, self-determination (end colonalism), and the creation of the League of Nations.
14 Points (1918)
Supreme Court case where a high school teacher was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act by teaching evolution. Illustrated the intense conflict of the Era between modern scientific discoveries and traditional religious fundamentalism. Known for being broadcasted on live radio, the defendant was found guilty and had to pay a $100 fine.
Scopes Trial (1925)
Period of cultural and artistic flourishing in New York City. Known for a rise in African American artists, musicians, and writers, as well as racial pride. Gained popularity through mass media and jazz. This movement illustrated the talent and culture of African Americans, changing the way they were viewed by many.
Harlem Renaissance (1920s)
A response from Germany to a US statement, it stated that Germany would agree to stop attacking passenger ships to avoid war with the US. Instead of attacking, they would inspect cargo ships with a warning to search for weapons. If they found weapons, they could sink the ship. However, Germany acted against this a year later, resuming unrestricted submarine warfare.
Sussex Pledge (1916)
Italian immigrants who were charged with murdering a guard and robbing a shoe factory in Massachusettes. Mainly a result of widespread US fear of immigrants during the era; in the context of xenophobia, both were given an unfair trial, leading to their execution. Because they were anarchists, the court believed they aimed to overthrow the govt, but the decision was met with protests.
Sacco & Vanzetti Case (1921)
US government agency that used large-scale propaganda to promote WW1. They aimed to convince the public to join the war effort and support the war. Utilized mass media to reach large audiences; ended up increasing sale of war bonds and created a sense of national unity.
Committee of Public Information (1915)
& George Creel, the chairman
Major corruption scandal where the secretary of the Interior, Albert Fall, illegally leased government-owned oil reserves in Wyoming to private companies in exchange for bribes. This gave natural resources to private ownership without the proper bidding process, damaging the reputation of Harding's administration.
Teapot Dome Scandal (1921)
This group of people came of age during WW1, with many becoming writers, detailing their disillusionment from growing up in the shadow of war. They are known for critcizing American consumer culture in literature, viewing the war as a defining moment of their lives. This caused them to lose faith in traditional values.
The Lost Generation (1883 - 1900)
Meeting held in Washington DC between the world's largest naval powers; they wanted to depart from military solutions to diplomatic negotiation for issues. They planned to limit naval weaponry, resulting in treaties such as the Five Power Treaty & the Nine Power Treaty. The goal was to prevent a naval arms race by setting limits on the size & number of warships.
Washington Armamanet Conference (Washington Naval Conference) (1921-1922)
Federal laws that severely limited free speech. One criminalized interference with the US military, or making "false" statements against them.The other prohibited speaking against the US government, sale of war bonds, military, or supporting countries who the US opposed. Proved the First Amendment could be altered because there was a "clear and present danger".
Espionage & Sedition Act (1917)
Conservative senator who opposed the League of Nations, arguing that it threatened US sovereignty and Congress' war-declaring powers. By leading a group of consevatives, they demanded changes to the post-war treaty, ultimatley leading to its rejection and keeping the US out of the League.
Strong Reservationists / Henry Cabot Lodge (1920)
Protectionist law that raised tariffs on imported goods at the beginning of the Great Depression, with the goal of protecting farmers and buisness by promoting their products. However, it was a major cause of the Depression, raising prices for food and goods, and declining global trade by 65%.
Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930)
African American Nationalist and leader of the Pan-Africanist movement. Advocated for a "back to Africa" movement; he emphasized the emportance of self-determination, self-defense, and economic independence for African Americans. However, despite support he recieved, he was convicted of fraud and deported from the US.
Marcus Garvey (1925)
International treaty between nations to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes, being agreed to by 62 countries. One of many efforts to prevent future World Wars, but it did not stop the rise of militarism in the 1930s. Illustrates how WW1 devastated nations, recieving public support for peace.
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
Supreme Court case that declared that speech could be restricted if it creates a "clear and present danger" to national security, or if it encourages violence. The case arose after a socialist mailed pamphlets to people who could be drafted to the war, so he was accused of "criticizing the draft".
Schenck v. US (1919)
Message sent by Germany to Mexico in secret; offered US territory in exchange for Mexico's support in WW1. The intent of this was to distract the US with Mexico to prevent it from joining the war in Europe. However, the message was intercepted by the British, which motivated the US to join the war.
Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
Legislative plan that was proposed and vetoed by the President, aimed to support farmers. The Federal Government would buy surplus wheat at 1924 prices, and sell them to Europe at the market price in 1910. They would be acting as a price floor to crops, to address the economic struggles of farmers at the beginning of the Depression.
McNary-Haugen Bill (1927-28)
Nurse and activist, she founded the birth control movement in the US. This is characterized by opening the first birth control clinic, helping make it legal and available. Later, she founded the international Planned Parenthood Federation, which largely impacted womens rights and freedoms over their bodies.
Margaret Sanger (1920s)