Study Guide: Spanish American War & World War I
Name______________________
Date_______________________
Foreign Policy
1. Identify which Foreign Policy approach matches each U.S. action/decision below:
 Pres. McKinley agrees with expansionists that the Spanish American War is a great opportunity to gain
a small empire for the United States. _IMPERIALISM_
 Pres. Wilson remains neutral for 3 years during WWI _ISOLATIONISM_
 Finally, Wilson feels forced to send U.S. troops to battle and war is declared on Germany in April of
1917. Pres. Wilson states that the U.S. has no selfish aims in entering this war, but instead, “shall fight
for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts -- for democracy, for the right of those
who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small
nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and
safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.” _INTERNATIONALISM
Spanish American War
1. What is “yellow journalism?” __EXAGGERATED/ “UNTRUE” NEWS STORIES___
“yellow journalism” important during the Spanish American War? CAUSED AMERICAN CITIZENS TO
SYMPATHIZE WITH CUBA AND URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST THE CUBAN REVOLUTIONARIES IN THEIR
FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE
2.
Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain is the major cause of the Spanish American War. What
other important causes led America into this war? EXPLOSION OF THE U.S.S. MAINE BATTLESHIP;
AMERICAN IMPERIALISTS WANTED NEW TERRITORIES FOR TRADE, NATURAL RESOURCES, MILITARY BASES,
AND TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY & DEMOCRACY
3.
What were the results of the Spanish American War?
for Cuba: GAINS INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN (BECOMES U.S. PROTECTORATE)
for U.S. GAINS PUERTO RICO, GUAM, PHILIPPINES
for Spain LOSES TERRITORIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
World War I
1. Place the following WWI events in chronological order by numbering them 1-9.
_2_ assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
_7_ President Wilson’s Fourteen Points
_1_ Europe is a “powder keg” because of secret alliances, economic and military competition, and
nationalism
_6_ U.S. enters the war
_8_ Germany signs the armistice
_9_ Treaty of Versailles is signed
_4_ German U-boat sinks the Lusitania, a British passenger ship
_3_ WWI begins
_5_ Zimmerman telegram is intercepted by Great Britain
2. What event is the immediate cause of WWI (the igniter to the “powderkeg”) —when fighting breaks out
across Europe? ASSASSINATION OF ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND OF AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
3. List the major countries of the Allied Powers: GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, RUSSIA, UNITED STATES
4. List the major countries of the Central Powers: GERMANY, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, OTTOMAN EMPIRE,
BULGARIA
5. Outline and label each of the nations from question 3 and 4 on the map on the back of this page.
6. Most of the battles in this war were fought on the Western Front and a major stalemate (no side could
gain an advantage) occurred. Outline and label this territory on the map.
What military strategy was influential in causing this stalemate? TRENCH WARFARE
7. Explain how the Zimmerman telegram was a cause for America entering WWI? REVEALED A PLOT BY
GERMANY TO CONVINCE MEXICO TO ENTER THE WAR AS A CENTRAL POWER IN RETURN FOR ASSISTANCE
IN GAINING BACK TERRITORY LOST TO AMERICA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
8.
Describe how each of the three actions President Wilson took after the U.S. declared war on Germany
helped America be more ready and more prepared for war.

Selective Service Act (military draft) INCREASED THE ARMY FROM 200,000 TO 5 MILLION MEN

requiring industries to focus on making military supplies MORE SUPPLIES SHIPPED TO EUROPE TO
REINFORCE THE ALLIES; AS A RESULT WOMEN ENTERED THE WORKFORCE

creating a government office in charge of war propaganda PLAYED ON THE EMOTIONS OF CITIZENS TO
GAIN SUPPORT FOR THE WAR (BOTH AS PATRIOTIC CITIZENS & AGAINST THE ENEMY)
9. At the end of WWI, President Wilson prepared a peace plan that called for the formation of the
LEAGUE OF NATIONS, a peacekeeping organization.
10. Be sure to study Wilson’s Fourteen Points and The Treaty of Versailles—know the similarities and
differences. Be sure to review the major provisions of each using the Venn diagram in your binder.
11. Write the correct vocabulary word that matches the definitions below.
PROPAGANDA : use of text or media to promote one cause or hurt another; major campaign by U.S. gov’t
during WWI to get public to support war
REPARATIONS: payment for damages; Germany was required to pay for the total cost of the war
IMPERIALISM: using power to control other nations, especially weaker nations
ALLIANCES : countries making agreements to support one another
NATIONALISM: pride in one’s country
MILITARISM: building up military strength/power
SELF-DETERMINATION: right of a people/country to decide how to be governed
Don’t forget the previous units…review all quizzes and study guides to be prepared!