Unit 9 - WWI Study Questions
1. What specific event started the conflict that leads to WWI?
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by Bosnian nationalist
Leads to conflict between alliances
2. Who were the principle powers (Allies and Central Powers) during WWI?
Central – Germany and Austria-Hungary
Allies – Russia, France, Great Britain, Serbia, later the U.S.
3. What was America’s initial response to the outbreak of WWI?
Neutrality – we can still maintain trade (GW still influential?)
Popular opinion – with the Allies
Also, preparedness –increase in military spending, training
4. Who was the president of the U.S. at this time?
Woodrow Wilson
5. How did modern technology make WWI so dangerous for soldiers?
Killing machines – machine guns, heavy artillery, hand grenades, poison gas, submarines
Tactics outdated
6. How did Germany’s use of u-boats affect the war?
Stopped supplies from reaching England, but…
Unrestricted attacks help lead the U.S. into the war
7. What happened to the Lusitania?
Torpedoed by German u-boat and sunk
1,200 passengers – 128 Americans
8. What did the Germans promise in the Sussex Pledge?
U-boats would warn ships before firing
9. What was the Zimmerman note?
Revealed a potential alliance between Germany and Mexico
In exchange, Mexico could regain lost territory in the Southwest
Helped shift public opinion
10. What effect did the Russian Revolution have on WWI?
Democratic movement in Russia made the U.S. feel better about supporting
11. Why did the U.S. decide to enter WWI?
Further sinking of ships/Germans breaking the Sussex Pledge
12. How did President Wilson describe America’s purpose in the war?
“The world must be made safe for democracy”
Powerful moment in American history
April 6, 1917
13. What was the Selective Service Act?
Draft of men for military service
24 million register, 3 million selected,
25,000 women serve in support roles
American Expeditionary Force
14. How was the defense of Paris a turning point in the war?
AEF reached France just in time to stop German offensive – (late May 1918)
Counter-attack knocks Central Power forces back into Germany
15. What role did U.S. forces play in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive?
Last major Allied offensive,
Many casualties, but U.S. helps turn tide
By November, the Central Powers are done
Armistice agreed on – 11:00 AM November 11, 1918
16. How many U.S. soldiers died in battle during WWI? What about the other countries?
50,000 of 116,000 total
890,000 - British military killed
1,200,000 - Austro-Hungarian military killed
1,385,000 - French military killed
1,700,000 - Russian military killed
1,808,000 - German military killed
17. The U.S. government raised over $20 billion dollars through…
Liberty bonds – would be re-payed by U.S. government (15 years later) at interest (3-4%)
Very patriotic way to support war effort
18. Name one of the government agencies created to manage the war effort during WWI.
War Industries Board, War Trade Board, National War Labor Board, War Labor Policies Board,
Food Administration, Fuel Administration, Committee on Public Information,
19. Name one specific way the government regulated food and fuel consumption during the
war.
Price controls, managing production and distribution of food, avoided forced rationing by
playing on people’s patriotism, Daylight saving time,
20. What was the purpose of the Sedition Act (1918)?
Made it illegal to obstruct sale of liberty bonds, or to say anything negative about the
government, the Constitution, or the armed forces
21. How did the government deal with newspapers, magazines, and movies during the war?
Censored them, banned some of them, nothing against the war allowed
22. What was the Great Migration that took place during the war?
People moving to northern cities to work in factories during WWI (large numbers of AfricanAmericans)
23. What was the overall purpose of President Wilson’s 14 Points?
Self-determination for all nations who want to live in peace
Also, removal of trade barriers, de-militarization, end to alliances, respecting the rights of
native peoples, creation of a peace-keeping organization
24. How did Wilson’s plans at the treaty negotiations in Paris differ from those of Lloyd
George, Clemenceau and Orlando?
Wilson not interested in punishing Germany or in huge reparations
European victors want revenge, land, money…
25. What was the purpose of the League of Nations?
World organization that would ensure collective security and peace for all members
26. How did the issue of German reparations affect the treaty negotiations?
Wilson strongly opposed, but European victors enact heavy reparations ($33 billion on
Germany)
27. Why was there so much opposition in the U.S. Congress to the League of Nations?
Potentially violated American independence and self-determination
28. Did the U.S. ever join the League of Nations?
No, Wilson’s lack of compromise on this issue doomed it in the U.S.
29. How was the post-war period difficult for Americans?
Disillusionment – too much death, technology a big factor, where is the world headed?