APUSH: Period 7, 1890-1945 - World War I, Causes, US Entry, Home Front, Treaty of Versailles

Why This Matters

World War I (1914-1918) was a pivotal event in modern history, marking a significant shift in global politics, economies, and societies. The war's causes, US entry, home front mobilization, and the Treaty of Versailles' consequences all contributed to the rise of new world powers, the redrawing of national borders, and the emergence of the United States as a global superpower. This topic is essential for understanding the larger period of the 20th century, as it laid the groundwork for World War II, the Cold War, and the ongoing struggle for global dominance. The AP theme of Politics and Power is particularly relevant, as the war's outcome and the Treaty of Versailles' terms reshaped the international order and created new power dynamics.

Key Events & People

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand (assassinated in 1914): The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose murder sparked the outbreak of World War I.
• Woodrow Wilson (US President, 1913-1921): Led the United States into World War I and played a key role in the Paris Peace Conference, advocating for the League of Nations.
• The Schlieffen Plan (developed in 1905): A German military strategy that aimed to quickly defeat France and then turn to face Russia, but ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.
• The Zimmermann Telegram (sent in 1917): A coded message from Germany to Mexico, urging it to declare war on the United States, which helped to convince the US to enter the war.
• The Battle of the Somme (fought in 1916): A brutal and devastating battle on the Western Front, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
• The Russian Revolution (led by Lenin in 1917): A revolution that overthrew the Russian monarchy and established the world's first socialist state.
• The Treaty of Versailles (signed in 1919): The peace treaty that ended World War I, imposing harsh penalties on Germany and contributing to widespread resentment and a desire for revenge.
• The Red Scare (led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer in 1919-1920): A wave of anti-communist hysteria in the United States, which led to the deportation of thousands of suspected radicals.
• The 19th Amendment (ratified in 1920): A constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The complex system of alliances and rivalries between European powers, including the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
• Effect: The outbreak of World War I in 1914, which drew in multiple nations and resulted in massive loss of life.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the redrawing of national borders in Europe.

• Cause: The economic and social tensions of the pre-war period, including the rise of socialism and the decline of the old aristocracy.

• Effect: The Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union.

• Long-term consequence: The spread of communism and the emergence of the Cold War.

• Cause: The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, including the war guilt clause and the reparations imposed on Germany.

• Effect: The rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.
• Long-term consequence: The devastation of Europe and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Imperialism*: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
  • Example: The Scramble for Africa, in which European powers competed for colonies and resources on the continent.
• *Alliances*: Agreements between nations to provide mutual support in case of war.
  • Example: The Triple Entente between France, Britain, and Russia, which helped to draw in multiple nations in World War I.
• *Total War*: A type of war in which a country mobilizes all its resources, including its economy, industry, and population, to support the war effort.
  • Example: World War I, in which both sides engaged in massive mobilization and the use of new technologies, such as tanks and poison gas.
• *Propaganda*: Information or ideas spread to promote a particular cause or point of view.
  • Example: The use of propaganda by the US government to promote patriotism and support for the war effort during World War I.
• *Reparations*: Payments made by a defeated nation to a victorious nation as a penalty for the war.
  • Example: The reparations imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, which contributed to widespread resentment and economic hardship.
• *War Guilt Clause*: A provision in the Treaty of Versailles that placed the blame for World War I on Germany.
  • Example: The war guilt clause, which was widely seen as unfair and contributed to widespread resentment in Germany.
• *League of Nations*: An international organization established after World War I to promote peace and prevent future wars.
  • Example: The League of Nations, which was established in 1920 and failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II.
• *Red Scare*: A wave of anti-communist hysteria in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.
  • Example: The Red Scare, which led to the deportation of thousands of suspected radicals and the suppression of civil liberties.
• *19th Amendment*: A constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote in the United States.
  • Example: The 19th Amendment, which was ratified in 1920 and marked a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1918.
• Correction: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, after the armistice that ended World War I.
• What students often get wrong: The Russian Revolution was led by Tsar Nicholas II.
• Correction: The Russian Revolution was led by Vladimir Lenin, who overthrew the monarchy and established the world's first socialist state.
• What students often get wrong: The US entry into World War I was a result of the sinking of the Lusitania.
• Correction: The US entry into World War I was a result of the Zimmermann Telegram, which was sent by Germany to Mexico and urged it to declare war on the US.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the causes and consequences of the Russian Revolution. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the February Revolution, the October Revolution, and the establishment of the Soviet Union.
  • Evidence: The February Revolution, the October Revolution, the establishment of the Soviet Union, the writings of Lenin and Trotsky.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the world. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the war guilt clause, reparations, and the rise of Nazi Germany.
  • Evidence: The Treaty of Versailles, the war guilt clause, reparations, the rise of Nazi Germany, the writings of Woodrow Wilson and other key figures.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the role of propaganda in World War I. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the use of posters, newspapers, and radio broadcasts.
  • Evidence: The use of propaganda by the US government, the use of posters and newspapers by the Allies, the use of radio broadcasts by the Germans.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the name of the US President who led the country into World War I?
   • Answer: Woodrow Wilson
   • Explanation: Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States and led the country into World War I.
2. What was the name of the treaty that ended World War I?
   • Answer: The Treaty of Versailles
   • Explanation: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 and imposed harsh penalties on Germany.
3. What was the name of the Russian leader who overthrew the monarchy and established the Soviet Union?
   • Answer: Vladimir Lenin
   • Explanation: Vladimir Lenin was a key figure in the Russian Revolution and established the world's first socialist state.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, not 1918.
• The Russian Revolution was led by Vladimir Lenin, not Tsar Nicholas II.
• The US entry into World War I was a result of the Zimmermann Telegram, not the sinking of the Lusitania.
• The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote in the United States.
• The League of Nations was established in 1920 to promote peace and prevent future wars.
• The Red Scare was a wave of anti-communist hysteria in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.
• The war guilt clause was a provision in the Treaty of Versailles that placed the blame for World War I on Germany.
• Reparations were payments made by a defeated nation to a victorious nation as a penalty for the war.
• Total War was a type of war in which a country mobilizes all its resources, including its economy, industry, and population, to support the war effort.
• Imperialism was the policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.