The United States entered World War I in 1917 after a series of events that ultimately forced President Woodrow Wilson to abandon his initial stance of neutrality. The sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger liner, by a German submarine in 1915, was a pivotal moment in the shift towards American involvement. The Lusitania carried over 100 American citizens, and the tragedy sparked outrage and anti-German sentiment across the nation. Germany initially agreed to stop unrestricted submarine warfare, which targeted all ships, including those carrying civilians, in an attempt to appease the United States. However, in 1917, Germany resumed its unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking six American ships and escalating tensions.
The Zimmerman Telegram, intercepted by British intelligence and released to the American public, further fueled the flames of war. This coded message from Germany to Mexico proposed an alliance, promising Mexico the return of territories lost to the United States in the Mexican-American War, if Mexico would declare war on the United States. The telegram, which was seen as a direct threat to American sovereignty, solidified public opinion in favor of war.
The war had a significant impact on American society, both domestically and internationally. The Great Migration, a mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North, began during the war. Driven by economic opportunities and a desire to escape racial discrimination in the South, African Americans sought jobs in factories and shipyards that were experiencing labor shortages due to the war effort. The war also led to the passage of the Espionage Act in 1917, which made it illegal to interfere with the war effort, including speaking out against the war or obstructing recruitment. This act was used to suppress dissent and silence critics of the war, including socialist Eugene V. Debs, who was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison for delivering an anti-war speech.
Following the war, President Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points, a plan for a just and lasting peace. These points included the establishment of a League of Nations, an international organization designed to prevent future wars through diplomacy and collective security. However, the United States ultimately did not join the League of Nations, a decision that reflected the isolationist sentiment that prevailed in the country after the war. The debate over the League of Nations highlighted the deep divisions within American society about the role of the United States in international affairs.
The end of World War I marked a turning point in American history, ushering in a period of significant social and cultural change. The Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, was ratified in 1919, reflecting the growing influence of the temperance movement. The Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920, marking a major victory for the women's suffrage movement. These amendments, along with other social and cultural developments, contributed to the emergence of a new national identity in the United States, one that was characterized by a sense of optimism, prosperity, and cultural experimentation.
Summary
- The United States entered World War I in 1917 after a series of events, including the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmerman Telegram, which ultimately forced President Woodrow Wilson to abandon his initial stance of neutrality.
- The war had a significant impact on American society, leading to the Great Migration, the passage of the Espionage Act, and the proposal of President Wilson's Fourteen Points, which included the establishment of a League of Nations.
- Following the war, the United States experienced a period of significant social and cultural change, marked by the ratification of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, which prohibited alcohol and granted women the right to vote, respectively.
Key Vocabulary Words
pivotal (adjective)
of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.
Example Sentence: The pivotal moment in the game came when the quarterback threw a touchdown pass with only seconds left on the clock.
sentiment (noun)
a view of or attitude toward a situation or event; an opinion.
Example Sentence: The public sentiment towards the new policy was overwhelmingly negative.
unrestricted (adjective)
not limited or controlled.
Example Sentence: The company's unrestricted access to the database allowed them to collect vast amounts of personal information.
sovereignty (noun)
supreme power or authority.
Example Sentence: The country's sovereignty was threatened by the invasion of foreign forces.
ratified (verb)
sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.
Example Sentence: The treaty was ratified by the Senate after a lengthy debate.
Multiple Choice Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below, based on the reading passage above.
What was the primary reason Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917?
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1 point
Germany sought to appease the United States by targeting only military ships.
Germany aimed to cut off supplies to Britain and force them to surrender.
Germany wanted to test the limits of American neutrality.
Germany believed it could quickly defeat the United States with a surprise attack.
What was the main consequence of the Zimmerman Telegram?
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1 point
It led to a diplomatic crisis between Germany and Mexico.
It convinced the United States to join the League of Nations.
It sparked a wave of anti-Mexican sentiment in the United States.
It solidified public support for American entry into World War I.
Which of the following was NOT a direct result of the United States' involvement in World War I?
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1 point
The passage of the Espionage Act.
The Great Migration of African Americans.
The ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment.
The establishment of the League of Nations.
What was the primary motivation for African Americans to participate in the Great Migration during World War I?
*
1 point
They sought to escape the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in the South.
They were forced to relocate due to the war effort and the need for labor in the North.
They were offered higher wages and better living conditions by the government in the North.
They desired to join the military and fight for their country in the war.
What was the main purpose of the Espionage Act of 1917?
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1 point
To protect American citizens from espionage and foreign threats.
To suppress dissent and criticism of the war effort.
To promote patriotism and national unity during wartime.
To ensure the fair and impartial treatment of all citizens during the war.
What was the key element of President Wilson's Fourteen Points plan that aimed to prevent future wars?
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1 point
The establishment of a global military force to enforce peace.
The creation of a system of international arbitration to resolve disputes.
The formation of a League of Nations to promote diplomacy and collective security.
The implementation of strict economic sanctions against aggressor nations.
What was the primary reason the United States did not join the League of Nations?
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1 point
The United States feared that joining the League would limit its sovereignty.
The United States believed that the League was ineffective and would not prevent future wars.
The United States was focused on domestic issues and did not want to be involved in international affairs.
The United States was concerned about the League's potential to entangle the country in foreign conflicts.
What was the significance of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920?
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1 point
It marked the end of the women's suffrage movement and the achievement of full equality for women.
It granted women the right to vote, a major victory for the women's suffrage movement.
It established a quota system for women in government and public office.
It prohibited discrimination against women in employment and education.
What was the main argument used by Germany to justify its resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917?
1 point
Germany argued that it was necessary to defend its territory from Allied attacks.
Germany claimed that it was a legitimate tactic to cut off supplies to Britain and force them to surrender.
Germany insisted that it was acting in self-defense against American aggression.
Germany stated that it was a necessary measure to protect its citizens from Allied bombing raids.
What was the primary reason for the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North during World War I?
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1 point
African Americans were forced to relocate due to the war effort and the need for labor in the North.
African Americans were seeking better educational opportunities in the North.
African Americans were escaping the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in the South.
African Americans were seeking to join the military and fight for their country in the war.
1 answer
Here are the answers to the multiple-choice questions based on the provided reading passage:
What was the primary reason Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917?
Germany aimed to cut off supplies to Britain and force them to surrender.
What was the main consequence of the Zimmerman Telegram?
It solidified public support for American entry into World War I.
Which of the following was NOT a direct result of the United States' involvement in World War I?
The establishment of the League of Nations.
What was the primary motivation for African Americans to participate in the Great Migration during World War I?
They sought to escape the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in the South.
What was the main purpose of the Espionage Act of 1917?
To suppress dissent and criticism of the war effort.
What was the key element of President Wilson's Fourteen Points plan that aimed to prevent future wars?
The formation of a League of Nations to promote diplomacy and collective security.
What was the primary reason the United States did not join the League of Nations?
The United States feared that joining the League would limit its sovereignty.
What was the significance of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920?
It granted women the right to vote, a major victory for the women's suffrage movement.
What was the main argument used by Germany to justify its resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917?
Germany claimed that it was a legitimate tactic to cut off supplies to Britain and force them to surrender.
What was the primary reason for the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North during World War I?
African Americans were escaping the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in the South.
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