Diplomacy & Neutrality (1914-1915)

Dollar Diplomacy (Taft)

• Used investments and loans to influence other countries, aiming to stabilize them and avoid conflict by making them dependent on U.S. business.

Moral Diplomacy (Wilson)

• Focused on promoting democracy and human rights internationally, supporting democratic governments and opposing corrupt or authoritarian regimes.

Wilson’s Proclamation of Neutrality (1914)

• Declared U.S. neutrality in World War I between the Allied and Central Powers due to the desire to focus on domestic issues, help bring peace, and avoid internal conflict given citizens' ties to both sides.
• Neutrality was also driven by economic considerations, as trading with both sides was beneficial, and the need to focus on domestic reforms.

Woman's Peace Party (Founded 1915)

• Opposed U.S. involvement in World War I and promoted peace through diplomacy and disarmament.
• Advocated for reducing weapons to prevent future wars, organizing peace rallies, silent protests, and hosting a peace conference in The Hague in 1915 with women from various countries.
• Believed women should have a role in peacebuilding and politics.

Women in War

• Participated in support roles such as nurses, cooks, and caregivers and worked in factories producing weapons and supplies during World War I & II.
• Served as nurses on the front lines and in hospitals, and some took on leadership roles in peace movements.
• Contributions to war efforts led to greater recognition and advancements in women's rights, including the right to vote.

Jane Addams

• Strongly opposed U.S. involvement in World War I, led the U.S. branch of the Women’s Peace Party, and worked with women from other countries to promote peace through the International Congress of Women in 1915.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her lifelong efforts in peace and social justice.

Alice Paul

• Opposed U.S. involvement in World War I and supported the Women’s Peace Party.
• Focused on securing the 19th Amendment (women's right to vote) during the war and was arrested for protesting outside the White House, going on hunger strikes while in prison.

English-American Rapprochement

• Involved the strengthening of the relationship between the United States and Great Britain during the war.
• Despite initial neutrality, the U.S. provided significant support to Britain and the Allies, including financial aid and military supplies, driven by diplomatic, political, military, and economic objectives.

Richard Harding Davis

• An American journalist who covered the war in Europe, detailing major battles and frontline realities.
• Shaped modern war reporting by blending journalism with adventure narratives.

Tin Pan Alley

• Located on West 28th Street in Manhattan, where many music publishers and songwriters worked.
• Produced patriotic songs and military anthems that boosted morale, supported the troops, and encouraged Americans to support the war effort, including "Over There".
• Shaped public sentiment through music, helping to create a sense of national unity and patriotism.

Lusitania

• A British ship with 128 Americans on board, attacked by German submarines, leading to public outrage and aiding U.S. involvement in the war.

Gore-McClemore Resolution

• Aimed to keep the U.S. out of war and avoid being drawn into European conflicts by calling for the U.S. government to avoid military action related to the war unless directly attacked.
• It was not passed but reflected the strong anti-war sentiment in the U.S. after the Lusitania sinking (1915) and other events.

William Jennings Bryan

• An American politician and Secretary of State to Wilson who opposed U.S. involvement in the war and advocated for neutrality and peaceful diplomacy.
• Resigned in 1915 due to differences with President Wilson over handling U.S. relations with Germany, especially after the sinking of the Lusitania and Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare.

Edith Wharton

• An author and journalist who traveled to France during World War I as a war correspondent, reporting on the war's impact and focusing on the plight of refugees and the destruction of European landscapes and architecture.
• Worked with the American Fund for French Wounded, raised funds for refugee relief, promoted American support for France, and highlighted French courage during the war.

Jeannette Rankin

• First woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1916).
• She was a strong anti-war activist and pacifist, voting against the U.S. entering World War I.

Selective Service Act 1917

• Required all men from 21 to 30 (later changed) to register for military service to quickly raise troops.
• Allowed the government to draft men, resulting in 2.8 million men being drafted.

Liberty Bonds

• Government-issued bonds sold to raise money during the war.
• People bought bonds, which they could later redeem for a profit after a set period, with $23 billion raised, including $200 million from African Americans.

“Four Minute Men”

• Volunteers who gave short speeches (about 4 minutes long) in public places.
• Promoted support for the war and encouraged people to buy liberty bonds.

Committee on Public Information (CPI), National War Industries Board/Labor Board “Dollar a Year” Executives

• U.S. government agencies created to manage the war economy and ensure smooth production and labor relations.
• The National War Industries Board (NWIB) coordinated the production and distribution of goods, organizing and regulating industries to meet wartime needs.
• The National War Labor Board (NWLB) managed labor disputes to prevent strikes and ensure fair treatment for workers, and many business leaders volunteered to serve on these boards for a symbolic salary of $1 per year.

Food and Fuel Administration

• Led by Herbert Hoover, it encouraged Americans to conserve food, grow "victory gardens," and reduce waste to ensure enough supplies for soldiers and allies.
• Managed the country's coal and oil resources, promoting energy conservation and setting fuel prices to support wartime needs, also introducing "daylight savings".

Herbert Hoover

• Director of the U.S. Food Administration (1917-1920).
• Appointed by President Wilson to oversee food production and conservation efforts during WWI.
• Worked to provide food aid to war-torn Europe, particularly Belgium, and was praised for his organization skills and ability to mobilize resources quickly, gaining respect in the U.S. and Europe.

War Revenue Act 1917

• A law to raise funds for the U.S. war effort and cover military expenses through increased income taxes, taxes on luxury items, excess and business profits, estate taxes, and corporate taxes.
• Expanded the government's role in funding the war and increased national revenue.

Committee on Public Information

• Created in 1917 by Wilson to influence public opinion and generate support for the war.
• Produced films, posters, pamphlets, and speeches, employing "four-minute men," controlling information, suppressing dissent, and encouraging loyalty among both immigrants and citizens.
• Helped shape modern government propaganda techniques and public relations.

W.E.B. DuBois

• Supported U.S. entry into World War I, calling for African Americans to demonstrate patriotism and loyalty to the nation.
• Urged African Americans to put aside civil rights struggles temporarily and unite in support of the war in his "Close Ranks" editorial, encouraging Black men to enlist in the military and advocating for their fair treatment.
• After the war, he became disillusioned due to continued racial violence and segregation.

Conscientious Objectors

• Individuals who, due to personal, ethical, or religious beliefs, objected to participating in war and violence.
• Under the Selective Service Act (1917), they were legally exempt from combat duty but still required to serve in some capacity, such as non-combatant roles or war-related industries.
• Those who refused all forms of military service were often jailed or faced punishment and were frequently criticized as unpatriotic but also seen as heroes for standing by their principles.

Commission on Training Camp Activities

• Established in 1917 to maintain morale and promote proper behavior for soldiers.
• Provided recreational activities, including sports, music, and entertainment, working with organizations like the YMCA.
• Focused on preventing misconduct in military camps and behaviors like drinking.

The Great Migration

• A mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West driven by job opportunities, escape from Jim Crow laws and racial violence, and the pursuit of better living conditions.
• Northern cities saw significant population increases, and African Americans became more active in labor movements and civil rights, contributing to the Harlem Renaissance.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

• The Espionage Act aimed to prevent spying and protect military secrets, punishing interference with military operations or recruitment, censoring mail and communications, and leading to arrests of suspected anti-war individuals.
• The Sedition Act expanded on the Espionage Act, targeting those who criticized the government, military, or war effort, prohibiting disloyal language, and leading to arrests of political dissidents.
• Both acts suppressed the 1st amendment and were challenged in court.

National Civil Liberties Bureau (NCLB)

• Founded in 1917 by a group of lawyers to defend the civil rights and freedoms of individuals persecuted for opposing the war.
• Protected free speech by defending those arrested under the Espionage Act and Sedition Act and supported political dissidents.
• Campaigned against violations of civil liberties and raised awareness about the dangers of government overreach.

Roger Baldwin

• Founder of the NCLB who advocated for civil rights, provided legal protection, and opposed oppression.

Schenck v. U.S.

• Charles Schenck, a socialist, was charged under the Espionage Act for distributing leaflets encouraging people to resist the draft during WWI.
• The Court upheld Schenck’s conviction, ruling that his actions were not protected by the First Amendment, establishing the "clear and present danger" test.
• It set a precedent for limiting free speech when it could incite illegal activities or harm national interests and defined the limits of free speech during national crises.

Eugene V. Debs

• A socialist leader and five-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.
• An outspoken critic of World War I and U.S. involvement, he criticized the Selective Service Act and the war, believing it was driven by imperialist interests.
• In 1918, he was arrested, convicted under the Espionage Act, and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

• A radical labor union founded in 1905 that opposed U.S. involvement in the war, viewing it as an imperialist conflict.
• Organized strikes and protests, advocating for workers’ rights and against war profiteering.
• The government cracked down on the IWW, imprisoning many members.

Victor Berger

• U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin and a socialist leader.
• He opposed U.S. involvement in World War I and was prosecuted under the Espionage Act for his anti-war views, convicted in 1919, and later returned to politics after his conviction was overturned in 1921.

American Legion

• Founded in 1919, it's a group of American veterans who served in the war.
• Supports veterans' rights, advocates for their welfare, and promotes American patriotism.
• Focused on securing benefits for veterans, such as healthcare, disability compensation, and pension programs, while also promoting American values and community service.

The Red Scare & Palmer Raids

• The Red Scare was a period of widespread fear and suspicion of communism, anarchism, and radical left-wing movements after WWI, fueled by the Russian Revolution and labor strikes in the U.S., leading to suspicion and xenophobia toward immigrants.
• The Palmer Raids aimed to arrest and deport suspected radicals, anarchists, and communists, with federal agents conducting raids without warrants, arresting thousands and violating civil rights.

League of Nations & Article 10

• Established after WWI by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, it aimed to maintain world peace and prevent future conflicts through diplomacy and collective security.
• The U.S. never joined due to Senate rejection; first vote failed 55-39 and the second vote failed 49-35.
• Article 10 committed member countries to collective security, but the fear that the U.S. could be forced into international conflicts led the Senate to reject U.S. membership

Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points

• Included no secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, self-determination, restoration of territory for countries invaded during the war, independent Poland, and the creation of the League of Nations.
• Wilson was confident he could achieve these goals, but nations had different ideas like punishing Germany.

Bolshevik Revolution

• U.S. government was deeply suspicious of the Bolshevik regime due to its Marxist ideology.
• Many Americans feared the revolution would inspire similar uprisings in the U.S, and in 1918, the U.S. sent troops to Russia to support the anti-Bolshevik forces.

Wilsonian Idealism (aka “Wilsonianism”)

• President Wilson's vision to promote democracy, self-determination, and international cooperation, especially through the League of Nations to prevent future wars.

Pacifism

• Belief in avoiding war and violence and promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
• Many Americans were pacifists during WWI.

Preparedness

• The policy of building up military forces and readiness in anticipation of potential involvement in World War I, led by President Woodrow Wilson and advocates like Theodore Roosevelt to ensure national security.

Mobilization (Economic, Military, Social/Cultural)

• Economic Mobilization meant shifting the economy to produce war supplies, raising taxes, and selling war bonds.
• Military Mobilization involved the Selective Service Act to draft men into the army and build up military forces.
• Social/Cultural Mobilization used propaganda to encourage patriotism, women took on new roles, and anti-German sentiment rose.

Wartime Hysteria (Anti-German, Anti-Communist)

• Anti-German Hysteria involved fear and hatred of German-Americans, suppressing German culture, and discrimination.
• Anti-Communist Hysteria involved fear of communism after the Russian Revolution, leading to crackdowns on suspected communists and radicals, arrests, and deportations.

AEF Impact on War’s Outcome

• The AEF (American Expeditionary Forces) arrived in 1917, boosting Allied forces, and helped win key battles such as the Second Battle of the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
• The U.S. provided extra supplies and money to the Allies, weakening Germany and contributing to its defeat.

Goals of Wilson’s Fourteen Points

• Included promoting peace, self-determination, open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, and creating the League of Nations to solve disputes peacefully and prevent future wars.

Collective Security vs. Unilateralism

• Collective Security involves countries working together to protect each other from threats, such as the League of Nations.
• Unilateralism is when a country acts alone without relying on others or seeking international support, which the U.S. did after WWI by not joining the League of Nations.