KEY PEOPLE

Alfred Mahan – Admiral of the U.S. Navy and President of the Naval War College. He was an advocate for American imperialism and wrote The Influence of Sea Power upon History in He argued that to achieve world power, the U.S. needed a strong navy. Wanted to gain territory and build a canal to connect the Atlantic to the Pacific. Theodore Roosevelt – President of the United States and former Rough Rider during the Spanish-American War. Issued the Roosevelt Corollary or “Big Stick” policy declaring the U.S. the “policeman” of the Western Hemisphere. Sanford Dole – Plantation owner in Hawaii who helped lead the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, led the provisional government and became the first governor of Hawaii when it was annexed by the U.S.

Woodrow Wilson – President of the United States during WWI. Proposed Fourteen Points to end the war, reorganize Europe, and plan for future peace. He also tried to end U.S. interference in Latin America, but was unable to accomplish that goal. Henry Cabot Lodge – ( ) studied history and political science at Harvard. Was a friend of Theodore Roosevelt and strong supporter of imperialism. He was a strong opponent of the League of Nations and helped lead the senate rejection of the Treaty of Versailles. William Randolph Hearst – New York journalist and owner of the New York Journal. Participated in yellow journalism by deliberately sensationalizing news stories.

Joseph Pulitzer – A New York newspaperman and owner of the New York World. Competed with William Randolph Hearst using yellow journalism to attract readers John Hay – U.S. Secretary of State. In 1899, he announced the “Open Door” Policy giving equal trading rights to all foreign nations in China and sent notes to other countries declaring the policy was in effect.

General John J. Pershing – U. S. general who led the American Expeditionary Force (instrumental in the Battle of Argonne Forest). Demanded that American soldiers be well-trained before being sent to Europe to fight in WWI. Alvin York – An underprivileged and undereducated soldier from Tennessee. Was drafted into the army at age 29. He won the medal of honor for bravery and his capturing of many German troops. Armed with only a rifle and pistol, he reportedly killed 25 German soldiers and captured 132 prisoners

KEY EVENTS

The Selective Service Act – issued by Congress in 1917, it registered American men for the draft. Schenck v U.S.- a court case involving Charles Schenck, a Socialist Party member who was convicted of trying to get men to resist the draft. The Supreme court ruled that there were some limits to free speech in cases involving clear and present danger. The case was used as a measure for limiting fee speech. Battle of Argonne Forest – One of the greatest American battles of WWI, it occurred in 1918 in Northeastern France near the Belgian border. The offensive lasted 6 weeks and was the final and most important battle for the AEF. Treaty of Versailles – The treaty with Germany at the end of WWI. It provided harsh terms for Germany and made them angry. Germany had to give up land, pay for war damages, limit its military and sign the War Guilt Clause taking blame for the war.

DeLome Letter – A letter from the Spanish ambassador that was published in U.S. newspapers early in It called President McKinley weak, angering many Americans. Platt Agreement (also known as the Platt Amendment) – following the Spanish-American War, it gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs at any time. It was repealed in the 1930s. Boxer Rebellion – A rebellion in China in 1900 in which a group of Chinese, known as Boxers, threatened the lives of foreigners because they opposed Western influence. The U.S. was part of a multi-national peace force that put down the rebellion. Zimmerman Telegram – a secret note sent to Mexico by the German foreign minister promising U.S. land in exchange for Mexico’s helping Germany. When it was discovered and published in newspapers, Americans were outraged.

Use of the American Expeditionary Force – force led by General Pershing that was instrumental in turning the tide of the war in the Allies favor. Fought in the Battle of Argonne forest which was the final and decisive offensive by the Allies. Sinking of the Lusitania – A luxury passenger liner was sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German submarine in More than 1000 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. It enraged Americans and eventually helped lead to an American declaration of war against Germany. Fourteen Points – Woodrow Wilsons plan for ending the war and “making the world safe for democracy”. The speech containing the Fourteen Points was delivered to Congress in a special joint session in January of 1918 League of Nations – An organization of nations pledged to defend each other against aggression. It was weakened when the U.S. and Russia refused to join, even though it was one of Wilson’s Fourteen Points.