Definitions
Define Imperialism
Extending a nation's influence either directly or indirectly over a smaller, weaker nation.
What are 3 motivations for Imperialism?
1. Fear of competition.
2. Reliance on foreign trade.
3. Naval power.
4. Increased influence.
Which countries belonged to the Allies?
Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, Britain, Italy, US are the major ones.
Others: Japan, Romania, Montenegro.
List the 5 inventions we talked about in class that were new to WW1.
Machine guns
Heavy artillery
Tanks
Submarines
Planes
Poison gas
What is the Zimmerman Note?
A note sent by Germany to Mexico encouraging Mexico to invade the USA. Britain intercepted it.
Define Colonialism
Direct imperialism: taking over an area and making it part of the empire of a larger nation.
Did America initially favor imperialism? Why or why not?
No, they did not. They felt it would be hypocritical since they were a result of imperialism. Also, they believed it went against democratic ideals.
Which countries belonged to the Central Powers?
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire are the main ones.
What are at least 2 dangers of living in the trenches?
Trench foot
Rats
What was the Sussex Pledge?
Germany promising not to sink civilian ships without warning.
Define Nationalism
Believing that your country and your people are inherently better than all others.
It is a man-made canal that runs through the country of Panama. It connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and makes it possible for a much shorter journey to be made. It is one of the most amazing engineering feats in history.
What are the 4 causes of WW1? List and describe.
1. Militarism: wanting to spend money to make your military the strongest.
2. Alliances: countries teaming up and making deals with each other.
3. Imperialism: extending a nation's control either directly or indirectly over a weaker area.
4. Nationalism: the belief that your people and nation are inherently better than all others.
Briefly describe trench warfare.
Two enemies dig trenches across from each other. Attacks included heavy artillery, machine gun fire, and mustard gas. In order for any ground to be gained, the troops had to leave their trench and run across no man's land and hope to overrun the opposing trench.
It was a civilian cruise liner that was sunk by German U-boats. There were Americans on board who were killed.
What is an alliance?
When two or more countries have an agreement to team up if something goes wrong.
How is the American involvement in the Panama Canal an example of Imperialism?
They used indirect imperialism to encourage Panama to rebel against Colombia.
What is the Schlieffen Plan?
Germany's military plan to defeat France in one "knock out blow" in order to then use their full forces against Russia. This led Germany to invade neutral Belgium in order to get around France's defences.
Where does the term "shell shock" come from and what does it mean?
It comes from the trenches of WW1 and it means to be traumatized.
How were Americans encouraged to help the war effort on the home front?
Buy Liberty Bonds
Victory Gardens
Recycle
Knit
A racist ideology that white people have the "responsibility" to bring their culture to "uncivilized" people (usually in Africa). This was based on a racist poem written by Rudyard Kipling.
Tell the story of how the Spanish-American War began.
America had economic interests in Cuba. Cuba wanted independence from Spain. The US sent a ship to Cuba to protect its economic interests. The ship was called the USS Maine. There was a mysterious explosion on the ship and journalists in America wrote that Spain had blown up the ship, when more likely it was a mechanical failure. This use of Yellow Journalism led to public sentiment against Spain. The US declared war.
Explain the chain of events leading up to WW1 beginning and becoming a global conflict.
1. Assassination
2. Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia
3. Germany joins
4. Russia joins
5. France joins
6. Schlieffen Plan
7. Belgium is invaded
8. UK defends Belgium
Describe some of the horrific wounds soldiers came home with.
Amputation, faces melting, trench foot, etc.
Define all three:
Selective Service Act
Espionage Act
Sedition Act
Selective Service Act: created a national draft, the first time America had done this prior to entering a war.
Espionage Act: Made it illegal to interfere with the military draft.
Sedition Act: Made it illegal to express opposition to the war.