WWI Vocabulary
This term refers to the U.S. policy of not taking sides at the start of WWI.
What is neutrality?
The sinking of this British passenger ship in 1915 angered Americans and brought the U.S. closer to war.
What is the RMS Lusitania?
This agency created “Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays” to conserve food.
What is the Food Administration?
The U.S. fighting force in Europe during WWI went by this name.
What are the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)?
The armistice ending the fighting on the Western Front began on this date.
What is November 11, 1918?
These German submarines attacked ships without warning, helping push the U.S. toward war.
What are U‑boats?
This intercepted message asked Mexico to join Germany if the U.S. entered the war.
What is the Zimmerman Telegram?
Volunteer speakers known by this nickname gave patriotic 4‑minute speeches in public places.
Who are the Four‑Minute Men?
This system protected merchant ships from German U‑boats by grouping them with naval escorts.
What is the convoy system?
This treaty officially ended WWI and punished Germany heavily.
What is the Treaty of Versailles?
These homegrown plots helped Americans conserve food for soldiers overseas.
What are Victory Gardens?
The U.S. declared war on Germany in this month and year.
What is April 1917?
More than 300,000 African Americans moved north for industrial jobs during this demographic shift.
What is the Great Migration?
This African American regiment spent more time on the front lines than any other U.S. unit.
Who were the Harlem Hellfighters?
President Wilson’s plan for peace was known as this.
What are the 14 Points?
This 1917 law made it illegal to help the enemy or interfere with the draft.
What is the Espionage Act of 1917?
WWI began when Austria‑Hungary declared war on Serbia in this month and year.
What is July 1914?
This volunteer group worked with the government to identify “disloyal” Americans and potential spies.
What is the American Protective League?
This psychological condition, caused by the extreme stress of trench warfare, was known by this name during WWI.
What is shell shock or Battle Fatigue?
This international peace organization was created after WWI, though the U.S. never joined.
What is the League of Nations?
This government agency coordinated war production and raw materials.
What is the War Industries Board?
This German policy of attacking any vessel in British or French waters helped spark U.S. involvement.
What is unrestricted submarine warfare?
These workers were hired to replace workers on strike after WWI, often increasing racial tensions.
Who were strikebreakers?
This major 1918 Allied offensive helped force Germany to request an armistice.
What is the Meuse‑Argonne Offensive?
These U.S. senators opposed the Treaty of Versailles because they believed it might drag the U.S. into future wars.
Who were the Irreconcilables?