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Unit 2 US Involvement in WWI

Terms in this set (26)

U-boats
German submarines used in World War I
blockade
The use of troops or ships to prevent commercial traffic from entering or leaving a city or region
Russian Revolution
The revolution against the Tsarist government which led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the creation of a provisional government in March 1917.
Neutrality
A position of not taking sides in a conflict
Woodrow Wilson
28th president of the United States, known for World War I leadership, created Federal Reserve, Federal Trade Commission, Clayton Antitrust Act, progressive income tax, lower tariffs, women's suffrage (reluctantly), Treaty of Versailles, sought 14 points post-war plan, League of Nations (but failed to win U.S. ratification), won Nobel Peace Prize
Progressivism
The movement in the late 1800s to increase democracy in America by curbing the power of the corporation. It fought to end corruption in government and business, and worked to bring equal rights of women and other groups that had been left behind during the industrial revolution.
nonintervention
This term, associated with the Monroe Doctrine, describes the United States decision regarding their involvement in European affairs.
Wilsonianism
President Wilson's idealistic world view of opposing imperialism, war, revolution and the belief in democracy/democratic peace theory
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
A policy that the Germans announced on January 1917 which stated that their submarines would sink any ship in the British waters
neutral rights
privileges or freedoms that are granted to nations that do not choose a side in a conflict
Lusitania
A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.
Arabic (ship)
three months after Lusitania (1915), germans sank British ship the Arabic
-US protested and Germany agreed not to sink any more liners without warning
Sussex Pledge (1916)
A torpedo from a German submarine hit a french passenger liner, called the Sussex in march 1916. Wilson demanded the Germans refrain from attacking passenger ships. In this statement, Germany said they would temporarily stop these attacks but might have to resume in the future if the British continued to blockade German ports.
National Defense Act
Act of 1916 that expanded the regular federal army from 90,000 to 175,000 and permitted gradual enlargement to 223,000, expanded the National Guard to 440,000, made provision for their training, and gave federal funds for summer training camps for civilians.
Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
From Arthur Zimmermann,the Foreign Minister of Germany, to the German Ambassador in Mexico City; decoded by the British and given to the U.S.; the German ambassador was to offer Mexico the return of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico if Mexico would go to war against the U.S.
Committee on Public Information (CPI)
It was headed by George Creel. The purpose of this committee was to mobilize people's minds for war, both in America and abroad. Tried to get the entire U.S. public to support U.S. involvement in WWI. Creel's organization, employed some 150,000 workers at home and oversees. He proved that words were indeed weapons.
Selective Service Act of 1917
This Act required all men between 21-30 years to register for the military. Each received a number, and draftees were chosen like a lottery. In contrast to the Union's civil war conscription, there was no way for men to "opt out" of this draft.
War Industries Board (WIB)
The federal agency that reorganized industry for maximum efficiency and productivity during WWI
Food and Fuel Act
Allowed the President to regulate the production and distribution of food and fuel for the war effort.
Liberty Bonds
American citizens were lending money to the government to pay for the war.
National War Labor Board (NWLB)
A board that negotiated labor disputes and gave workers what they wanted to prevent strikes that would disrupt the war
Harlem Hellfighters
The 369th United States Infantry, made up of African-Americans. The French respected their bravery, although the USA made them fight separately. They were the regiment that saw the most time under fire.
Nineteenth Amendment
The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that guarantees women the right to vote.
Black Press
Newspapers, magazines and periodicals aimed at a largely black audience.
Espionage and Sedition Acts
two laws, enacted in 1917 and 1918, that imposed harsh penalties on anyone interfering with or speaking against U.S. participation in WWI
Schenck v. United States
A 1919 decision upholding the conviction of a socialist who had urged young men to resist the draft during World War I. Justice Holmes declared that government can limit free speech if the speech provokes a "clear and present danger"
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