Intro - British War Propaganda
Who's assassination started the war?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Why were some politicians against the U.S. entering the war?
Because they believed a German victory would change the balance of power and the U.S. needed a strong British navy.
When did Wilson declare war?
April 1917.
On April 2nd, 1917, President Wilson stood before a selection of senators and representatives. Why?
To address the state of affairs between Germany and The U.S.
What was the intended effect of German submarine warfare?
What was the purpose of the AEF?
Originally, to plug weaknesses in Britain and France's defenses. Eventually, the AEF controlled a region of the Western Front.
Why did president Wilson protest the seizure of American ships?
Because the U.S. was a neutral nation
Why did Wilson pass a bill to increase the size of the army and to build more ships?
What was one of the most important reasons that prompted the U.S. go to war?
The Germans decided to start unrestricted submarine warfare against the Allies.
There were multiple establishments made following the declaration of war. Name two, along with the people who established them.
Bernard Baruch, War Industries Board
Herbert Hoover, The Food Administration
Harry Garfield, The Fuel Administration
William McAdoo, The Railroad Administration
William Howard Taft, National War Labor Board
What were 3 of the 7 listed points?
Recognition of freedom of seas
An end to the practice of making secret treaties
Reduction of national armaments
An "impartial adjustment of colonial claims"
Self-determination for the various nationalities
Removal of trade barriers
General association of nations
How did Germany combat the British fleet?
By inventing the submarine
Why were citizens so opposed to preparedness?
Because they felt it would lead to U.S. involvement.
Why did Wilson think that war was unavoidable in 1917?
Because of a series of events in Europe in March 1917.
How much money did Wilson's war government raise in two years, and how did they raise that much?
33 billion dollars, with a combination of loans and taxes.
What was the name of the treaty that ended the war?
Treaty of Versailles
Why was the U.S. so prosperous following the beginning of WW1?
Because of Britain and France's request of supplies.
What was the main reason Wilson was re-elected?
Because he kept us out of the war.
What was the Zimmermann Telegram?
A note from Germany to Mexico that proposed that Mexico ally with Germany in return for Mexico's lost territory in the U.S.
What were some of the things that happened to ensure complete war support?
What did the Espionage and Sedition acts do?
What was Schenk vs The U.S.?
Using vigilante actions against anything remotely German, and employers having the ability to not hire and the ability to fire anyone of German descent.
The Espionage act outlawed any incitement of rebellion or insurrection and The Sedition act outlawed any slander of the U.S. government
Schenk vs The U.S. was a case involving a man who was imprisoned for putting up posters to protest the draft. In 1919, it was concluded that free speech could be limited only when there was "clear and present danger to the public.
Why did Republicans raise objections to the League of Nations?
Because they thought that U.S. membership would interfere with U.S. sovereignty and might also cause European nations to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.
Why did Americans dislike the Germans?
Because of how the news portrayed them.
How did Wilson fulfill the promise of his campaign?
He sent his chief foreign policy adviser to London, Paris, and Berlin to negotiate peace deals.
Why was Wilson bothered that one of his allies was Russia
Because Russia was a nation governed by an autocratic czar. Wilson wanted the war to be fought with the idea of the triumph of democracy.
What did the Selective Service act do?
What problems did African Americans face in the military?
What were the effects on American Society?
The Selective Service act introduced the draft, which required all men from age 21 to 30 to register in the draft.
They faced segregation in military camps, few became officers, and they were barred from the marine corps.
The effects were that it gave more job opportunities to women, Mexicans, and African Americans
What did Americans have to get used to after the war?
What was a result of postwar problems?
The economic and social stresses of postwar uncertainty.
The labor strikes of 1919 as well as a fear of revolution.