1914-1945 Historical Flashcards

Post-War Plans and Treaties

• Wilson's 14 Points aimed for lasting peace in post-war Europe, emphasizing open seas, self-determination, and the League of Nations, but ultimately failed due to lack of U.S. participation in the League.
• The Treaty of Versailles established peace in 1919, officially ending the war between Germany and the Allies.

Economic and Social Policies

• The 18th Amendment initiated Prohibition, driven by concerns around alcoholism, but faced backlash from immigrant communities who viewed it as discriminatory.
• The New Deal (1933-1938), led by FDR, aimed to revive the economy during the Great Depression through various economic policies and relief programs.
• The Agricultural Adjustment Act (1936) attempted to stabilize farm prices by paying farmers not to cultivate land, later revised due to negative employment impacts.

Cultural Shifts and Movements

• The Jazz Singer, released in 1927, marked the transition to "talkies," affecting the silent film industry and featuring a Jewish immigrant's journey in a racially insensitive portrayal.
• The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that sought to assert the identities of African Americans and promote civil rights through literature and art.

War and Conflict

• Japanese-American internment during WWII involved the detention of families in camps, driven by espionage fears, leading to significant financial loss and rights violations.
• The Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb from 1942 to 1946, transitioning to control under the Atomic Energy Commission in 1947.
• The Lend-Lease Act permitted the U.S. to lend military equipment to allied nations during WWII without direct involvement in the conflict.

Key Figures and Events

• Adolf Hitler, as the leader of Nazi Germany, aimed for Aryan supremacy and global domination, leading to widespread destruction and genocide during WWII.
• Benito Mussolini, Italy's fascist dictator, aligned with Hitler and played a significant role in shaping fascist ideology.
• The Munich Agreement of 1938 allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, aimed at appeasing Germany and preventing further conflict.

Civil Rights and Labor

• The Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) aimed to regulate minimum wage and working hours across industries, enhancing worker rights and protections.
• The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) emerged in 1938 to investigate communist influences in the U.S., resulting in many unjust blacklists.

Historical Trials and Incidents

• The Sacco and Vanzetti case involved two Italian immigrants executed in 1927, symbolizing the era's political bias and intolerance.
• The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911) highlighted workplace safety issues and galvanized labor reform efforts.

Military Strategies and Agreements

• The top-secret Zimmermann Telegram hinted at German plans for unrestricted submarine warfare against the U.S., intensifying tensions before U.S. entry into WWI.
• The U-Boats utilized by Germany represented a strategic force used to disrupt allied shipping during both World Wars.

Economic Legislation and Regulation

• The Federal Reserve Act established a central banking system to supervise monetary policy and stabilize the economy.
• The Clayton Antitrust Act reinforced anti-monopoly laws by protecting labor rights, exempting unions from antitrust prosecution.

Key Conferences and Decisions

• The Yalta Conference (1945) involved leaders Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin discussing postwar Europe and the establishment of the United Nations.
• The Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922) sought disarmament and peace in the Pacific following WWI, excluding the Soviet Union from talks.

Social Changes and Movements

• The Good Neighbor Policy (1932) aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties with Latin America, promoting mutual defense in the Western Hemisphere.
• Flappers of the 1920s exemplified the era's cultural shifts, reflecting newfound freedoms and social independence among women.

Critical Supreme Court Cases

• Schenck v. United States established the "clear and present danger" standard concerning First Amendment rights during wartime.
• United States v. Butler (1936) deemed the Agricultural Adjustment Act unconstitutional, limiting federal powers over agricultural policy.

Legacy of Leadership

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1949) led the U.S. through the Great Depression and WWII, implementing transformative social and economic policies.
• Henry Cabot Lodge was a leading critic of the Treaty of Versailles, advocating for American sovereignty in postwar decision-making.