Reading Quiz (p.200-205) Terms Flashcards
(26 cards)
World War I: dates
July 1914 – November 1918
RMS Lusitania
Sunk on May 7, 1915 by a German torpedo, killing 128 Americans. Turned international opinion against Germany.
National Defense Act
When Germany announced its intention of attacking all merchantmen found in the vicinity of the British Isles, Wilson signed the National Defense Act, passed on June 3, 1916, which expanded the regular army to 175,000 and, over the next five years, increased its size to 223,000 and directed the enlargement of the National Guard to 450,000. It also established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at colleges and universities.
Presidential election of 1916
In seeking reelection for Wilson, the Democrats emphasized his desire to maintain peace: “He kept us out of war.” The Republicans put forward the Supreme Court Justice Charles Hughes. The Progressives tried to induce Roosevelt to run again, but he refused. Not until the results of the California vote came in was it clear that Wilson had been reelected by an electoral count of 277 to 254 for Hughes. The Democrats retained control of the Senate, but they lost the House. The number of representatives of both major parties was so close that Progressives and Independents held the balance of power.
Jeannette Rankin (Republican)
Became the first woman to hold a high government office when she was elected to Congress in 1916 from the state of Montana. As asuffragist and social worker, she represented women. Rankin was also a dedicated pacifist and strongly opposed any involvement of the U.S. in the ongoing war in Europe.
19th Amendment
Ratified on August 18, 1920. Provided women’s suffrage.
U.S. removal of diplomatic relations with Germany
Early in 1917, Germany unleashed unrestricted submarine warfare. Submarines would sink all ships, both neutral and hostile, without warning. Wilson immediately broke off diplomatic relations with Germany on February 3, 1917, and asked Congress for authority to arm merchant vessels. Congress agreed.
Intercepted letter from Atrhur Zimmermann
Wilson revealed to the nation a telegram intercepted by the British, written by Arthur Zimmermann, the German foreign secretary, to Mexico, which promised to return Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Mexico – if Mexico declared war against the United States.
The American entry into World War I
After the sinking of three American merchantmen by German submarines Wilson summoned Congress to a special session on April 2, 1917and asked for a declaration of war. After heated debates, Congress passes the declaration on April 6.Wilson signed the resolution and the United States entered World War I.
Selective Service Act
Passed on May 18, 1917.Called for the registration for military service of all men between 18 and 45. Of the more than 24 million men enrolled in the draft, almost 3 million were called up for service.
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Passed in 1917 and 1918. Established fines and imprisonment for those convicted of aiding the enemy or committing other disloyal acts.
Schenck v. United States
A supreme court ruling in 1919 that upheld the Espionage and Sedition Acts.
Two stages of America’s involvement in the war
The war effort at home developed through two stages: the first, from the outset of war to the end of 1917, relied principally on volunteer efforts; the second, from 1918 to the end of the conflict, brought the administration into exercising full control.
U.S. Food Administration
Wilson mobilized farmers and housewives through the Food Administration program, headed by Herbert Hoover. The Food Administration succeeded in increasing the food supply so that it tripled the amount of food shipped overseas.One of its important tasks was the stabilization of the price of wheat on the U.S. market.
When did the U.S. join the Allied forces
Spring 1918. Commanded by General John J. Pershing, the U.S. joined the Allied Forces in France.
Germany’s treaty with the Soviet Union: results
The Germans signed a harsh peace treaty with the new government of the Soviet Union, which toppled the Romanov dynasty in Russia, executed the czar, and established a communist state.
Battles of Chateau-Thierry and the Marne
After Germany launched an all-out assault against the Allies, several American divisions joined the French in turning back a German drive at Château-Thierry on June 3, 1918. At the battle of the Marne, during the last two weeks of July, the German offensive was brought to an end.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points were Woodrow Wilson’s detailed list of war aims, which included such terms as freedom of the seas, self-determination for the various ethnic groups in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a reduction of armaments, and the establishment of the League of Nations. Wilson hoped thepointswould be the basis for a just and lasting peace, once Germany had been defeated.
What two events disrupted Wilson’s hopes and plans in the war?
The disruption of Wilson’s hopes and plans commenced with the Allies’ decision to intervene in the civil war that had broken out in Russia between the Bolsheviks and more conservative Russians called Whites. Wilsonreluctantlyagreed topartake under pressure from the Allies. Then the President foolishly asked the American people to return a Democratic Congress in the midterm election of 1918. His request and his presumption offended the electorate who responded by sending a majority of Republicans to both houses of Congress.
End of the war
The European war ended abruptly with the defeat of the German army and the collapse of the German government. By the time the armistice was signed on November 11,1918, the Kaiser, William II, had abdicated and fled to Holland.
Versailles Peace Conference
In late December 1918, Wilson traveled to Europe to attend the Versailles Peace Conference and work for a just peace. Despiteopposition, Wilson did achieve a number of important concessions from his 14-point plan. But Germany was saddled with an impossible $56 billion in reparations, and the Allies divided German colonies among themselves, virtually inviting future retaliation.
What events in Russia sparked isolationism in America following WWI?
The overthrow of the czarist regime in Russia, the ultimate victory of the Bolsheviks over the Whites, and the establishment of a communist state unleashed a wave of isolationist sentiment throughout the United States. The American people were in no mood to involve themselves any further in European affairs.
Henry Cabot Lodge
Senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were determined to block ratification of the Versailles Treaty. They contended that the treaty jeopardized American security and the nation’s traditional foreign policy of neutrality.
Wilson’s treaty: outcome
In light of opposition toward his treaty, Wilson traveled the country giving speeches . As Wilson’s health broke,Lodge offered fourteen reservations, one of which rejected the obligation of the United States to preserve the independence and territorial integrity of member nations. Wilson refused todeletethis obligation,and his failure to agree on a compromise, lost him public’s support.Wilson killed his own treaty.
