Andrew Yeung

Period 2
U.S history 2
Section 1
Militarism- aggressive build up of nation forces to intimidate and threaten other nations. German
militarism eventually forced Britain to become involved in the alliance system. Britains policy was to
support weaker countries against stronger ones so as to make sure no country conquered all of Europe.
Because of this, Germany became the strongest nation in Europe by the 1800s.
Nationalism- feeling of intense pride in ones homeland. This intense pride in ones nation had become
a powerful idea in Europe. They placed primary emphasis o promoting their homelands culture and
interests above those of other countries. Because of this, tensions between European countries rose.
Balkans- region in the Europeans that had a nationality crisis. This territory was owned by the Austro-
Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire. Both of these empires were made up of many different nations.
This region is an example of imperialism as the Balkans was controlled by the other stronger countries.
As a result of this, the Balkans tried to press for independence from these two empires.
Franz Ferdinand- heir to the Austrian throne that was assassinated. Ferdinand visited the Bosnia capital
of Sarajevo. As he rode through the city, Gavrilo rushed to their car and shot him. Gavrilo was a member
of the Black Hand and because of the assassination, it officially started WWI.
Propaganda- information used to influence opinion. Both countries, America and Germany used
propaganda to support their cause in the war. However German propaganda was mostly anti-Russian
and did not appeal to most Americans. British propaganda was extremely useful in the U.S. British
propaganda worked successfully because British officials worked diligently to win American support.
Contraband- goods prohibited from shipment to Germany and its allies. Once the war began, the British
made a blockade of German ports nad began intercepting neutral merchant ships going to Europe.
There, they forced ships to land at British ports for inspection. In response to this the Germans deployed
U boats and sank merchant boats without warning. Because of this, America was angry over this
because Britain and France depended on the food, equipment and other supplies sent by the U.S, thus
hurting the American economy.
Sussex pledge- certain conditions to sink no more merchant ships. Because of the many sinking ships
caused by the Germans, the U.S formed the Sussex plan. This plan met the foreign policy goals of both
Germany and Wilson and kept the U.S out of war for a little longer. However in the end the Germans
broke this pledge in February 1, 1917. They sunk down 6 American ships in unrestricted waters with
their U boats.
Zimmerman telegram- Germanys promise with Mexico that they would regain the lost territory of Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona after the war. British intelligence intercepted the Zimmermann telegram.
After this, it was leaked to the American newspapers. As a result the American public was furious and
now decided to wage war with Germany.
Section 2
War Industries Board-coordinate the production of war materials. This is one of the most important new
agencies. It was established in July 1917. Originally the boards authority was limited but problems with
production convinced Wilson to expand is powers and appoints Bernard Baruch, a Wall street
Stockbroker, to run it. As a result the WIB told manufacturers what they could produce, allocate raw
materials, order the construction of new factories and also set prices.
Victory gardens- encouraged families to conserve food and grow their own vegetables. The victory
gardens were part of the agency, the Food administration act. It was run by Herbert Hoover. This agency
helped increase food production by reducing civilian consumption. There would be days like Meatless
Mondays, Wheatless Tuesdays etc.
Natonal War Labor Board-mediate labor disputes that might lead to strikes. The National war labor
board was established in March 1918. This was made in order to prevent strikes from disrupting the war
effort because the success of the war effort required the cooperation of workers. It was chaired by
William Howard Taft and Frank Walsh.
Committee on Public Information-used to sell the war to the American people. It was headed by
George Creel, a journalist, who recruited advertising executives, artists, authors, and songwriters etc in
order to help persuade people to be for the war while using the media. The CPI sent out pamphlets and
arranged thousands of talks. These people urged the Audience to support the war in various other ways.
Espionage- spying. The government passed legislation to limit opposition to the war and fight espionage.
They then passed the Espionage Act. This act made it illegal to aid the enemy and give false reports. In
addition to this the legislation also added the sedition act at the same time.
Selective service- a new conscription system. This system stated that all men between 21 and 30 were
required to register for a draft. A draft was a system where the government forces you to be sent to the
army to fight for a war. This lottery was determined randomly in order to find out if they were to be
chosen. There would also be a local board in order to either exempt them from joining or making them
join.
Section 3
No mans land-space between opposing trenches. It was a rough barren landscape filled with craters
from artillery fire. To prevent troops from crossing no mans land both sides built barbed wire
entanglements and obstacles in front of their trenches. In order to get through no mans lands troops
fixed bayonets to their rifles and waited for bombardments from the air in order to provide cover while
they get to the other trenches.
Convoy-small maneuverable warships. The American Admiral William Sims proposed that merchant
ships and troop transports be gathered into groups. These small warships would then protect the
convoys across the Atlantic. Convoys helped save lives. If a ship was sunk other ships in the convoy could
rescue survivors. In addition to this it also greatly improved the number of American troops arriving
safely in Europe to help stop Germany's last great offensive on the western front.
John J Pershing- commander of the American Expeditionary force. He and his officers headed to Picpus
cemetery where Lafayette was buried. When they arrived, one of his officers, Colonel Stanton raised his
hand in salute and proclaimed Lafayette we are here this statement meant that the American soldiers
would help the French to preserve their freedom. This is similar to the way the French helped the
Americans fight for their freedom
Armistice- a truce to stop fighting. The main base of the German fleet was destroyed. Because of this the
german emperor decided to step down as a result on November 9, Germany became a republic and
then two days later they signed an armistice to stop fighting. Later they then made the treaty of
Versailles which was the proper peace treaty to end WWI.
Treaty of Versailles-negotiation at the end of WWI. This war ended the war with Austria Hungary. the
treaty of Versailles took place at the Palace of Versailles. This peace treaty took place in January 1919.
Delegates from 27 countries traveled to France to attend the peace conference. It was there that Wilson
thought of the plan know as the Fourteen Points.
Fourteen Points-Wilsons's peace plan. Wilson presented the plan to congress in January 1918 to explain
the goals of the U.S. going into war. He believed that the fourteen points need to be implemented and it
would establish peace in Europe. These points were bsed on the principle of justice to all peoples and
nationalities. It was proposed that to eliminate the causes of war, there would be free seas,
disarmament, impartial adjustment of colonial claims and open diplomacy instead of secret agreements.
Nation self determination- idea that the borders of countries should be based on ethnicity and national
identities. A group of people who feel that they are a nation should be allowed to have their own
country. Wilson and other supporters of national self determination believed that when borders are not
based on nation identity, border disputes will occur and nations will more likely go to war to resolve
them.
League of nations- general association of nations. The leagues of nations would help preserve peace by
respecting other nations. They would also protect each others territory or political independence.
Wilson determined to get a agreement and that he was willing to support the League as long as he was
willing to give up other goals in the fourteen points of the league
Reparations- monetary compensation for all f the war damage it had caused. The German government
signed the treaty of Versailles and it acknowledged that Germany was guilty. Because of this the Allies
made Germany pay for their damages. The sum for Gera=many was approximately 33 billion and it
made Germanys economy weak for a long time.
Section 4
Cost of living-essentials use to survive. Because of inflation the cost of living, food, clothing and other
essentials made the prices too expensive. As a result people were buying food for rations and businesses
rapidly raised prices because they kept the prices low during the war. In addition soldiers who returned
home looking for employment realized that jobs are scarce. In the end the economy went for a turn for
the worst.
General strike- strike hat involves workers in a community, not just workers in a particular industry. The
Seattle general strike involved more than 60000 people and paralyzed the city for five days. Although
the strikers returned to work without making any gains, their actions worried many Americans. This was
because the general strike was a common tactic used in Europe by communists and other radical groups.
Calvin Coolidge- Boston governor. In 1919 there was a famous strike that took place in Boston. Roughly
75 percent of the police force walked off the job. Riots and looting soon started and Coolidge was then
forced to call the National Guard. Because of this the strikers were forced to go back to work and the
commissioner was forced to hire a new police force instead.
Red scare- nationwide panic of communism. Americans had long been suspicious of communist ideas.
During this time, Russia has been established as a communist country and began to coordinate other
countries into becoming communists. This led to fears that communists would come to America and
destroy the American way of life.
A. Mitchell Palmer- united states attorney general. In June there were eight bombs in eight cities that
exploded within minutes of one another. This suggested there was a nationwide conspiracy. One of the
homes that were damaged was A. Mitchell Palmer. Because of this damage, most people believed the
bombings were the work of radicals trying to destroy the American way of life.
J Edgar Hoover- head of the FBI. After Palmer set up the General Intelligence division, J. Edgar eventually
became the head of it. This group that Hoover was controlled is still here today. Nowadays the FBI help
stop crimes that have been all over the nation and help with deportations and other illegal laws.
Deport- forced to leave. In January 1920, Palmer ordered another series of raids on various radical
organizations. Nearly 6000 people were arrested. In the same month NY state legislature expelled fie
members of the Socialist party who had been elected to the legislature. After wards 32 other states
passed sedition laws making it illegal o join groups advocating revolution. Authorities detained
thousands and almost 600 were deported.