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World War I
Term | Definition |
---|---|
World War I | A war in Europe during the 1910s caused by a rise in nationalism, economic rivalries, imperialism, the alliance system, and militarism. The U.S. joined in 1917. |
Zimmerman Telegram | A secret message from Germany to Mexico offering to return U.S. territories to Mexico in exchange for their help in the war. |
Lusitania | A British passenger ship that was attacked by a German submarine killing over 1,000 passengers including 128 Americans. |
Sussex Pledge | After sinking the Sussex, a French ferry boat, President Wilson threatened Germany and Germany pledged to not sink any more ocean liners. |
Submarine Warfare | In 1917 Germany unrestricted this kind of fighting and, as a result, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war. |
Selective Service Act | authorized the United States federal government to raise a national army for service in World War I through a draft |
Schenck v. U.S. | a landmark supreme court case that stated there were limits to free speech such as falsely “shouting fire in a crowded theater and causing panic” |
American Expeditionary Force | U.S. troops sent to Europe to defeat Germany |
Alvin York | Was awarded the Medal of Honor for killing 25 Germans and capturing 132 prisoners in the Battle of the Argonne Forest. |
Trench Warfare | New type of warfare during WWI causing fighting lines to become stationary because neither side could advance. |
U-Boats | German submarines |
Woodrow Wilson | He was granted sweeping powers by Congress to fight the war. |
Fourteen Points | Wilson’s plan for WWI including freedom of the seas, a reduction of armaments, the removal of trade barriers, and a League of Nations |
Versailles Treaty | A peace agreement at the end of WWI that was extremely harsh on Germany, requiring them to pay reparations. |
Reparations | the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged |
League of Nations | An international peacekeeping organization envisioned by President Wilson, but rejected by Congress; the U.S. never joined |
Henry Cabot Lodge | Senate Majority Leader; supported imperialism and opposed the U.S. joining the League of Nations, fearing that the U.S. would lose its freedom of action. |
Isolationism | a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries |
Freedom of the Seas | the idea that the world’s oceans should be free for all nations to use for trade and commerce; not be controlled by any belligerent power. |
John J. Pershing | The general that led the American Expeditionary Force in WWI |
Battle of Argonne Forest | A bloody, month-long battle in which the Germans were defeated in Northeastern France; over 100,000 U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded. |