Module 5 Study Guide

US History, Part 2

These notes will help you prepare for quizzes and exams.

Lesson 1: U.S. Neutrality and the Path to World War I

U.S. and WWI
1. Why did the United States choose to remain neutral at the beginning of
World War I? Include political, social, and economic reasons. (1-2
sentences for each.)
Political Politically, many Americans felt the war was a
European conflict rooted in old alliances and rivalries
that didn't directly threaten US interests or security.
Social Socially, the US was home to large immigrant
populations from both sides of the conflict, including
Germans and Irish who opposed helping Britain,
making it politically risky to publicly favor either side.
Economic Economically, American businesses were already
profiting by trading and lending money to both sides,
so staying neutral let the US keep making money
without the costs and risks of actually fighting.

2. How did propaganda influence U.S. public opinion about World War I
before America joined the war? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
British propaganda emphasized German atrocities, real and exaggerated, in
occupied Belgium and France, portraying Germany as a brutal aggressor
threatening civilization itself. This one-sided flow of information, since
Britain controlled the transatlantic telegraph cables, meant Americans
mostly heard the Allied version of events. Over time, this steady stream of
anti-German propaganda shifted American public sympathy toward the
Allies, even while the government officially remained neutral.

3. What events caused the United States to enter World War I in 1917?
For each event, explain how it influenced the decision to declare war.
(1 sentence for each box.)
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US History, Part 2

Event Description Influence on U.S.

Decision
Sinking of the The German U-boat It shifted public
Lusitania sinking of the British opinion sharply
passenger liner Lusitania against Germany and
in May 1915 killed nearly pushed the US closer
1,200 people, including to war, though
128 Americans, sparking President Wilson still
outrage across the managed to keep the
United States. country neutral for
two more years.
Resumed In early 1917, Germany This directly
Submarine announced it would threatened American
resume unrestricted ships and lives,
submarine warfare, making neutrality far
attacking any ship, more dangerous and
including neutral and convincing many
civilian vessels, sailing Americans that war
near Britain. was becoming
unavoidable.
Zimmerman British intelligence The telegram enraged
Telegram intercepted a secret the American public
German telegram once it was published,
proposing an alliance since it revealed a
with Mexico against the direct German threat
United States, promising against US territory,
Mexico help reclaiming significantly boosting
Texas, New Mexico, and support for entering
Arizona if the US entered the war.
the war.
Russian Revolution In 1917, the Russian The revolution
Revolution overthrew removed a monarchy
the czar and eventually from the Allied side,
brought a communist which made it easier
government to power for President Wilson to
that later pulled Russia frame American
out of the war. involvement as a fight
for democracy against
autocratic
governments, rather
than defending
Russia's czarist
regime.
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US History, Part 2

4. How did U.S. involvement impact the outcome of World War I?

(Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
American entry into the war in 1917 brought fresh troops, resources, and
financial support at a critical moment when both the Allied and Central
Powers were exhausted from years of brutal trench warfare. The arrival of
millions of well-supplied American soldiers tipped the balance decisively in
favor of the Allies, especially after Russia's exit from the war had freed up
German troops for the Western Front. US involvement is widely credited with
hastening the end of the war and forcing Germany to seek an armistice in
November 1918.

5. Who were the main alliances in World War I, and what key dates should
you know?
Central Powers The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-
Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, fighting
primarily against Russia, France, and Britain.
Allied Powers The Allied Powers included Britain, France, Russia
(until 1917), Italy, and eventually the United States,
fighting against the Central Powers.
Key Dates War began: 1914
U.S. entered: 1917
Russia exited after Communist Revolution: 1917
U.S. entered:
Russia exited after Communist Revolution:

Lesson 2: U.S. Homefront during WWI

U.S. and WWI
1. Define the following terms and describe their importance during the
war. (2-3 sentences for each.)
Selective Service The Selective Service Act of 1917 authorized the
Act federal government to draft American men into
military service, since the existing volunteer army was
far too small to fight a major European war. It
ultimately registered around 24 million men and
drafted roughly 2.8 million soldiers, providing the
manpower the US needed to fight effectively in
Europe.
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US History, Part 2

U.S. Food The US Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover,

Administration encouraged Americans to voluntarily conserve food,
promoting practices like "Meatless Mondays" and
"Wheatless Wednesdays" so more food could be
shipped to soldiers and Allied nations overseas. This
voluntary approach successfully increased food
exports without needing strict rationing, showing how
the government mobilized civilian cooperation for the
war effort.
Liberty Bonds Liberty Bonds were government bonds sold to
ordinary American citizens to help finance the
enormous cost of fighting the war, essentially letting
citizens loan money to the government in exchange
for future repayment with interest. Aggressive
advertising campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and
patriotic appeals encouraged millions of Americans to
buy bonds, raising billions of dollars for the war effort.

2. How did U.S. factories and labor policies change to support World War
I production? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
Many American factories converted from producing civilian goods to
manufacturing weapons, ammunition, ships, and other military supplies
needed for the war effort. With so many men serving overseas, women and
Black Americans moved into factory jobs in large numbers, taking on roles
that had previously been closed to them. The federal government also
created new agencies, like the War Industries Board, to coordinate
production and make sure factories were operating as efficiently as possible
for the war effort.

3. What methods did the Committee on Public Information use to gain

public support for the war, and why were they effective? (Explain in 2-
3 sentences.)
The Committee on Public Information used posters, films, pamphlets, and
public speakers, known as "Four Minute Men," to spread patriotic messages
and build support for the war throughout American communities. Its
methods were effective because they used emotional, straightforward
imagery and messaging that reached ordinary citizens directly, rather than
relying only on political speeches or complex arguments. By flooding daily
life with pro-war messaging, the committee successfully shifted public
opinion and encouraged behaviors like buying war bonds and conserving
food.
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US History, Part 2

4. What did the Espionage and Sedition Acts do during World War I, and
what was the outcome of Schenck v. United States? (Explain in 2-3
sentences.)
The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 made it illegal to
interfere with military operations, encourage disloyalty, or criticize the
government, the war effort, or the military, resulting in the arrest of many
anti-war activists and critics. These laws were controversial because they
significantly limited free speech protections during wartime, targeting
socialists, pacifists, and other dissenters. In Schenck v. United States in
1919, the Supreme Court upheld these restrictions, ruling that speech
creating a "clear and present danger" wasn't protected by the First
Amendment during wartime.

Lesson 3: U.S. Actions in WWI and Armistice

U.S. and WWI
1. How did the U.S. prepare for World War I after entering in 1917, and
what challenges did it face in building a military force? (Explain in 2-3
sentences.)
After declaring war in 1917, the US had to rapidly expand its small
peacetime military through the draft, quickly training and equipping
millions of new soldiers before sending them overseas. This posed major
logistical challenges, since the country lacked enough weapons, uniforms,
and experienced officers, and it took months to build training camps and
organize an effective fighting force. Despite these obstacles, the US
managed to send substantial numbers of troops to Europe by mid-1918, in
time to make a significant impact on the war's outcome.

2. How did U.S. troops affect the outcomes of key battles in 1918, such as
Belleau Wood and Argonne Forest? (1-2 sentences for each.)
Belleau Wood At the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918, American
Marines helped stop a major German advance toward
Paris, suffering heavy casualties but successfully
pushing German forces back.
Argonne Forest The Meuse-Argonne Offensive in late 1918 was the
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US History, Part 2

largest battle in American military history to that

point, where American forces helped break through
German defensive lines and pushed the war toward its
final conclusion.

3. How did African American soldiers like the Harlem Hellfighters

contribute to the war effort, and what challenges did they face?
(Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
African American soldiers like the Harlem Hellfighters fought bravely and
effectively in World War I, with the Hellfighters spending more time in
continuous combat than almost any other American unit and earning
significant recognition, including the French Croix de Guerre. Despite their
contributions, Black soldiers faced widespread discrimination, segregation
within the military, and were often assigned to labor duties rather than
combat roles compared to white soldiers. Many returned home only to face
continued racism and violence, despite having fought and sacrificed for
their country overseas.

4. What was the armistice that ended World War I, and how is it
remembered today? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
The armistice ending World War I was signed on November 11, 1918, at 11
a.m., halting the fighting after Germany's military situation had become
hopeless. It's remembered today in the United States as Veterans Day, a
holiday honoring all who have served in the US military, and in other
countries as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.

5. How did the Spanish Flu affect the U.S. during World War I, and how
did the government respond? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
The Spanish Flu pandemic struck the US during and immediately after
World War I, killing an estimated 675,000 Americans, spreading rapidly
partly due to troop movements and crowded military camps. The
government's response was often slow and inconsistent, with some cities
implementing measures like closing schools and banning public gatherings
while others resisted such restrictions, partly due to wartime pressures to
maintain morale and production.
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US History, Part 2

Lesson 4: Aftermath of WWI

Resolution and Returning Home
1. What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and how did
those terms affect Germany politically, territorially, militarily, and
economically? (2-3 sentences for each.)
Territorial Changes Germany lost significant territory, including Alsace-
Lorraine to France, and its overseas colonies were
taken away and distributed among the Allied
powers as League of Nations mandates.
Military Restrictions Germany's military was drastically limited, with
strict caps on the size of its army, a ban on having
an air force, and restrictions on building submarines
or maintaining a large navy.
Economic and Germany was forced to accept full blame for the
Political war through the "war guilt clause" and pay
Consequences enormous reparations to the Allied powers,
crippling its economy and contributing to severe
inflation and economic instability in the years that
followed.
Long-term Impact The harsh terms of the treaty bred deep
resentment and economic hardship in Germany,
creating conditions that many historians believe
contributed directly to the rise of extremist political
movements and eventually to World War II.

2. How did Wilson’s Fourteen Points compare to the actual Treaty of

Versailles? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
Wilson's Fourteen Points called for a relatively lenient peace focused on
ideas like free trade, self-determination for nations, and the creation of a
League of Nations to prevent future wars. The actual Treaty of Versailles,
shaped heavily by France and Britain's desire for revenge and security, was
far harsher on Germany than Wilson had wanted, including massive
reparations and territorial losses. Wilson did succeed in getting the League
of Nations included in the treaty, though ironically the US Senate later
refused to ratify the treaty or join the League at all.

3. Why did the U.S. return to isolationism after WWI, and how did that
decision affect international peace efforts? (Explain in 2-3
sentences.)
After World War I, many Americans felt the war and its costly aftermath
hadn't been worth the sacrifice, and the Senate's rejection of the Treaty of
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Versailles reflected a strong desire to avoid further entanglement in

European affairs. This return to isolationism meant the US never joined the
League of Nations, significantly weakening the organization's ability to
enforce international peace and prevent future conflicts. Without full US
participation and support, the League struggled to effectively address
rising tensions in Europe and Asia during the 1920s and 1930s.

4. What problems did American soldiers face when they returned home
after WWI, and how did the government respond? (Explain in 2-3
sentences.)
Returning soldiers often struggled to find jobs in an economy transitioning
back to peacetime production, and many suffered from physical injuries or
psychological trauma, sometimes called "shell shock," with little support or
understanding available at the time. The government's response was
initially limited, though veterans' organizations and later legislation, like
bonuses promised for their service, aimed to provide some financial
assistance, though many veterans felt these efforts were inadequate and
slow to arrive.

5. Why did fear of communism grow in the U.S. after WWI, and how did
the government respond? (Explain in 2-3 sentences.)
Fear of communism grew rapidly in the US after the Russian Revolution and
a wave of labor strikes and bombings in 1919, leading many Americans to
worry that a similar revolution could happen at home. This fear, known as
the Red Scare, led the government to conduct the Palmer Raids, arresting
and deporting thousands of suspected radicals, socialists, and immigrants
with little regard for due process. The panic eventually faded by the early
1920s, but it left a lasting legacy of suspicion toward immigrants and left-
wing political movements.