Chapter 7 - US History - WWI and Its Aftermath

Why is it believed that Harding won by such a wide margin?

He promised an end to the reforms that had led to so much strife.

Perhaps the most successful government agency during this time was the Food Administration, which was run by

Herbert Hoover

How did the steel strike affect the steelworkers' union?

Steelworkers went on strike for higher pay, shorter hours, and recognition of their union. U.S. Steel refused to talk to union leaders and set out to break the union.

Where was the Western Front?

between Germany and France

What was the major cause of the outbreak of race riots during 1919?

the scarcity of jobs

What was the purpose of the wartime agencies created in the U.S. during World War I?

to foster cooperation between the national war effort and private businesses

What was the purpose of the Palmer Raids?

to seize and deport immigrant anarchists

To protect themselves from artillery fire, the troops began digging ___________.

trenches

Realizing a draft was necessary, Congress created a new system of conscription called

selective service

What caused rapid inflation in the U.S. after the war ended?

Jobs were scarce, and companies that were forced to keep prices low during the war raised them dramatically.

What increased the cost of living after the war?

People raced to buy goods that had been rationed, while businesses raised prices they had been forced to keep low. The result was rapid inflation that greatly increased the cost of living

Causes of WWI: Imperialism

Powerhouse nations wanted control over the territory. German and Britain fought for control of southeastern Europe and then eventually roped in many other powerhouse nations to join them. Teams of countries fought for control like tug-of-war.

Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia in 1908 had what effect on the empire's relations with the Slavic people?

Slavs felt that Austria-Hungary had no intention of giving them independence.

The crisis in the Balkans represented a clash between which two ideals that were emerging in Europe?

nationalism and imperialism

What is militarism?

A policy of aggressive military preparedness; the strong buildup of armed forced to imitidate and threaten other nations

Why was the Boston Police Strike important?

About 75% walked off the job, and when they returned they were fires. Despite protests, Coolidge agreed that the men should be fired, declaring: "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime."

What circumstances contributed to the race riots of 1919?

African Americans had moved north during the war to take factory jobs. As people began to be laid off and returning soldiers found it hard to find work and affordable housing, many blamed African Americans for taking their jobs.

How did the arrival of American troops in Europe change the attitude of those fighting the war?

Allied forces were enthusiastic and German forces demoralized.

Causes of WWI: Assassination

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot down in Austria-Hungary by a Revolutionary from Serbia. Since Ferdinand was heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, the war was declared.

What were the Palmer raids?

Attempts by the U.S. Department of Justice to arrest and deport radicals (immigrants); lead by attorney general A. Mitchell Palmer; FBI born from the raids.

When Lenin took power in Russia, his first act was to establish a _______________ government. This allowed Germany to ___________ its military fortunes.

Communist; improve

Which side did American businesses support?

Companies in the United States had strong ties to the Allies, and many American banks invested heavily in an Allied victory.

To conserve energy, the Fuel Administration shortened workweeks for factories that did not make war materials and introduced

Daylight savings times

A new government agency, the Committee on Public Information, had the task of establishing penalties and prison terms for anyone who gave aid to the enemy.

False

The War Industries Board worked closely with women and African American civil rights.

False

To help prevent strikes from disrupting the war effort, the government established the Committee on Public Information in April 1918.

False

The peace plan after World War I presented by Wilson was called the _____________. It called for the creation of a League of Nations and ________________________ instead of secret agreements.

Fourteen Points; Open Diplomacy

A massive U.S. attack led by ___________________________ near the Argonne Forest pushed the Germans back.

French Marshal Ferdinand Foch

Why did Germany promise to stop sinking merchant ships without warning?

Germany did not want to strengthen the Allies by drawing the United States into the war. They promised with certain conditions not to sink any more merchant ships without warning. This pledge met the foreign policy goals of both Germany and President Wilson by delaying the entry of the US into the war.

Causes of WWI: Nationalism

Many countries had a strong sense of nationalism, which is extreme pride in one's country. With self-determination, they wanted to fight and become more and more powerful. Since they loved their country so much, all the other countries were insignificant and not as good. Nationalist pushed their beliefs onto others.

What effect did the war have on women in America?

Many took jobs that were traditionally held by men.

What factors contributed to WWI?

Militarism Alliances (secret) Nationalism Imperialism Assassination

What caused a rise in tensions between European nations?

Nationalism, or a feeling of intense price in one's homeland, was a powerful idea in Europe. Belief in rights of self-determination--the idea that those who share a national identity should have their own country and government--eventually led to a crisis in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe.

What were the European alliances that were triggered when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia?

Russia and France allied with Serbia against Austria-Hungary and Germany.

How did the unification of the German states and the emergence of the German Empire lead to tensions in Europe?

Several countries feared that Germany would invade them and begin to create alliances.

What event in April 1919 further fueled fears of Communist radicals in America?

The Postal Service intercepted 30 bombs sent to prominent Americans.

Who was the Republican candidate who won the election of 1920?

The Republican candidate, Warren G. Harding, called for a return to "normalcy," arguing that the country needed to return to the days before the Progressive Era reforms.

Causes of WWI: Alliances (secret)

The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente was formed. Italy made a switch to join the Triple Alliance after being promised control over southeastern Europe after the war. Germany attempted to make alliances with countries to better their chances of victory (Zimmerman Telegram). Alliances created a global war.

What was the Red Scare?

The strikes of 1919 fueled fears that Communists, or "reds," might seize power, leading to a nationwide panic known as the Red Scare.

Why did many Americans support the British?

They had cultural ties with them; British news/propaganda also swayed the American public opinion in favor of the Allies.

Why did a German U-boat sink the passenger ship Lusitania?

They sunk the ship because they were on the British coastal waters, the zone in which Germany pledged to sink any ship found. They put actions behind their threats.

Who were the Allies and who were the Central Powers?

Those fighting for the Triple Entente were called the Allies (Britain, France, and Russia + Italy joined later after promised control of Austro-Hungarian territory after the war). What remained of the Triple Alliance--Germany and Austria-Hungary--joined with the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria to form the Central Powers.

What result of inflation caused national unrest across the country in 1919?

Workers began to strike in massive numbers.

World War I marked the first time ____________ and ______________ were used in combat.

aircraft; bombs

World War I ended when the German government signed an _________________ on November 11, 1918.

armistice

In 1914 warfare had changed with the use of powerful _________ guns.

artillery

Why did England seek to forge alliances with France and Russia?

because Germany was creating a naval fleet that threatened the British navy

What were three of the main ideas in Wilson's Fourteen Points?

free trade and open diplomacy, national self-determination, and the establishment of the League of Nations

In the case Schenck v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that

freedom of speech could be curbed in wartime.

What were "victory gardens"?

gardens in which citizens grew their own vegetables

How was the Seattle General Strike different from other strikes of the time?

it was a general strike, and wasn't just one company. After the strike, workers returned without making any gains. Actions worried many Americans because the general strike was a common tactic of Communists and some radical groups in Europe.

To break through enemy lines, the Germans used __________________ and the British used ____________________.

poison gas; armored tanks

The Senate ____________ to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and so the United States did not join the ______________________.

refused; League of Nations

General Pershing insisted that American soldiers who entered the war _______.

remain in American units under American command

What battle on the Western Front resulted in a massive German retreat?

the Battle of the Argonne Forest

What strike led to the dismissal of the entire striking workforce?

the Boston Police Strike (they were all fired)

What event allowed Germany to sign a treaty with Russia, ending their campaign in the east?

the Russian Revolution and establishment of a Communist state

Advancements in technology led to what new theater of battle?

the air, with dogfights between planes

What was the result of alliances between European countries against one another?

Countries began to engage in militarism.

What nations formed the Triple Alliance?

Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary

The need for women to work in factories during World War I began a trend toward women working outside the home that continued after the war.

True

To help fund the war effort, Congress raised income tax rates.

True

What conditions were present in the United States after World War I?

Turmoil. There were many problems with inflation and unemployment. There was violence between African Americans and white men returning from war. Strikes stirred fears of a communist revolution in the US.

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I was called the Treaty of ________________.

Versailles

Causes of WWI: Militarism

countries tried to strengthen their militaries to intimidate other countries so they wouldn't provoke war. When many countries are trying to build up their countries at the same time, there is going to be competition.

When the Americans ("________________") entered into World War I, many Germans believed the war was _______.

doughboys; lost

During the Red Scare, Americans often linked __________ with radicalism.

immigrants

During World War I, women officially served in the armed forces for the first time in

clerical and nursing positions.

The use of __________ at sea greatly reduced shipping losses and saved lives.

convoys

The desire to promote one's own country's culture and interests above all other nations is called _______.

nationalism

What European nations formed the Triple Entente?

Great Britain, France, Russia

When and why did the Germans announce they would sink any ship found near Britain's coast?

In February 1915, the Germans announced they would use submarines called U-boats to sink without warning any ship they found in the waters around Britain. Britain was blockading German ports and forced merchant ships to port and be inspected for contraband.

What triggered the war in Europe?

In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, visited the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. As he and his wife rode through the city, Bosnian revolutionary Gavrilo Princip rushed their car and shot them dead. This assassination triggered the Great War.

What was the primary reason that the Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles?

It rejected the notion of a League of Nations.

How did World War I change the world?

New weapons and technologies were developed and used that led to more destruction than every war in the past. WWI destroyed empires (Russian, Austro-Hungarian, and German), created numerous new nation-states, encouraged independence movements in Europe's colonies, forced the US to become a world power, and led directly to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler.

What events caused the United States to declare war?

The Zimmerman Telegram (Germany would return southwestern states to Mexico if they teamed up with them in the war) was intercepted by the British and published in the United States, causing many Americans to want war on Germany immediately. Germany sank 6 American ships, thinking they could stop the US from raising an army to enter the war.

Why did business leaders want to break the power of the unions?

Workers wanted higher wages to keep up with inflation, companies resisted because inflation was also driving up their operating costs. NWLB was created so unions wouldn't go on strike during the war.

What was the Red Scare?

a fear of Communists seizing control of America

In the 1920 election, Warren G. Harding ran on the platform of _______.

a return to normalcy

Why did trench warfare result in such horrific casualties?

because artillery and machine guns had made capturing an enemy's position nearly impossible

How did American Admiral William Sims change the war at sea?

by creating convoys in which merchant ships and small, maneuverable warships called destroyers traveled together

How did the Fuel Administration attempt to conserve coal and oil during the war?

by instituting Heatless Mondays and creating daylight savings time

How did America fund the $32 billion war effort?

by raising taxes and selling bonds

The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany, demanding that it pay _______________ of $33 billion. It also reduced Germany's ___________________ and blamed it for the war.

reparations; armed forces

What event in 1914 triggered the beginning of World War I?

the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

What was the "Great Migration"?

the movement of massive numbers of African Americans to the North to take factory jobs

What was the final German act that caused the United States to declare war on Germany?

the sinking of six American ships by German submarines

What was the Zimmermann telegram?

the telegram to Mexico from Germany promising to give Mexico land lost to the U.S. if they joined the war

What was the primary purpose of the War Industries Board?

to coordinate the production of war materials

Why did Congress pass the Selective Service Act?

to draft Americans into the armed forces

What were the purposes of the Espionage and Sedition Acts?

to prevent spying and curtail criticism of the government

What was the purpose of the Committee on Public Information?

to sell the war effort to Americans