Wilson 1913 - 1921 Flashcards
American efforts to remain neutral in World War I, the subsequent involvement of the U.S. in European affairs, and the failure of Wilson’s efforts to get Senate approval for the League of Nations are the focus of this deck. (36 cards)
What movie did Woodrow Wilson show in the White House?
In 1915, Wilson showed a movie in the White House called “Birth of a Nation”.
It was a film that glorified the KKK and the white terrorism that had dominated Black people during Reconstruction. It also falsely portrayed Black politicians during Reconstruction as barbaric and incapable of self-government. The movie was a technological masterpiece for being a 1915 film. What made it that much worse was that the film spread falsehoods about Black people – spreading racist ideas throughout the country that were believed by people. Just like people have problems believing everything they read on social media today, similarly, people back in 1915 believed everything they saw in the movies.
What was the First Great Migration?
Between 1900 and 1920, over a million blacks left the South and migrated to Northern cities, fleeing racial persecution and seeking jobs in Northern factories.
During the 1912 campaign, Democrat Woodrow Wilson vowed to reduce the “triple wall of privileges” – tariffs, banks, and trusts. How did Wilson attack the high tariffs established by Republicans?
Wilson supported the Underwood Tariff, which reduced consumer prices. To offset the decrease in federal revenue, Wilson also proposed a graduated income tax, ranging from 1% to 6%. Congress passed both measures.
Woodrow Wilson saw banks as a necessary evil, under the thumb of the wealthy. How did Wilson seek to curb the banks’ power?
Under Wilson, Congress established the Federal Reserve System in 1913. The Federal Reserve serves as the lender of last resort, lending money to banks in the event of a bank run, provided the bank is still solvent. With this role, the Federal Reserve can exercise a supervisory role over banks.
At the request of Woodrow Wilson, Congress increased federal oversight and regulation of business. What two steps did Congress take?
Congress strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by passing the Clayton Act, which increased the number of impermissible business activities.
Congress also created the Federal Trade Commission, which it empowered to investigate all “unfair trade practices.”
What did the Seventeenth Amendment establish?
As part of the reforms of the Progressive Era, the Seventeenth Amendment established the direct election of Senators, and was passed in 1913.
Prior to its passage, Senators were nominated by state legislatures, which Progressives (and the Populists before them) believed was a process influenced by corruption.
In contrast to Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy” and Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy,” what did Wilson term his foreign policy?
Wilson called his foreign policy “Moral Diplomacy.” With William Jennings Bryan as Secretary of State, Wilson granted full territorial status and male suffrage to the Philippines, and guaranteed independence once a stable government was established.
Wilson also gave U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans and allowed the territory limited self-government.
Complete the sentence:
In 1916, President Wilson directed General John Pershing to lead American troops into Northern Mexico, in an attempt to capture _____ _____.
Pancho Villa
Villa, who was leading a revolt against the Mexican government, had attacked Columbus, New Mexico, and Pershing, and troops were sent to track him down.
Upon the outbreak of the First World War, Pershing was recalled and sent to France as the head of the American Expeditionary Forces.
During the early years of the 20th century, new leaders arose to argue for women’s suffrage, including Alice Paul, who broke with the National American Woman Suffrage Association to form the National Women’s Party. What did Paul advocate?
Paul advocated for more strident suffrage efforts, including parades and hunger strikes.
Although her methods were disapproved of by Carrie Chapman Catt, the new head of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, both women’s efforts were rewarded when the 19th Amendment granted female suffrage in 1920.
During the first few years of World War I, which nations were the primary Allied Powers?
At the War’s outbreak in 1914, the primary Allied Powers were France, Great Britain, and Russia, known as the Triple Entente. Italy joined the alliance in 1915.
The alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria was known by what name?
The Central Powers
Define:
Neutrality
The principle by which a country favors neither side in a conflict. At the outbreak of World War I, the U.S. declared it was officially neutral.
The vigorous expansion of the U.S. armed forces in anticipation of eventual involvement in World War I was known as _____.
preparedness
A German submarine sank the British passenger ship ________ in 1915, killing over 100 Americans, and turning American opinion against Germany.
Lusitania
What was the Zimmermann Telegram?
The Zimmermann Telegram was an intercepted communication between Germany and Mexico, with the Germans asking for Mexican assistance in the event of an American declaration of war against Germany.
By 1915, supporters of the Prohibition had convinced 2/3 of the states to issue complete bans on alcohol. What derisive nickname applied to those who supported Prohibition?
They were known as “drys.” Their opponents, on the other hand, were known as “wets.”
The drys won their war in 1919, when Prohibition was formally established nationwide by a Constitutional Amendment.
What was Woodrow Wilson’s campaign slogan in 1916?
“He kept us out of the War.”
Wilson’s campaign reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality, although at his request, Congress had already expanded the Navy and increased the size of the Army.
Define:
Propaganda
Propaganda is the presentation of information artificially skewed to persuade the audience of a certain viewpoint.
British propaganda helped propel the United States towards war with the Central Powers by portraying the Germans in a negative light.
What was the final justification for the United States’ declaration of war in 1917?
Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war when Germany reinstituted unrestricted submarine warfare; Germany vowed to sink every ship in the waters around Great Britain. This violated the principle of freedom of the seas.
The process of readying a nation for war is known as _____.
Mobilization
During the later part of 1916 and the beginning of 1917, the United States began preparing for war by increasing the Army and ordering new armaments.
How did the United States government prepare the economy for war?
The United States government established various War Agencies to manage the economy and prepare U.S. industry and agriculture for the increased demands of military production.
As a result of the Russian Revolution, which branch of the Communist Party seized power?
The Bolsheviks seized power in Russia in 1917. Originally under the control of Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks were led by Joseph Stalin after Lenin’s death in 1924.
What nation surrendered to the Germans in 1917, freeing the Germans to concentrate their efforts against France and Great Britain?
In 1917, after years of defeat, Russia underwent two revolutions. Communists eventually seized control and signed a treaty with Germany.
What was the purpose of the Selective Service Act, enacted during the First World War?
In the Selective Service Act, Congress used a lottery system to ensure that all segments of the population were democratically drafted into the Army.
