World War I

In 1919 Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes summarized the opinion of the Supreme Court in Schenck v. United States.

"The question in every case is whether the words used are used…to create a clear and present danger that…will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent…When a nation is at war, many things that might be said in time of peace…will not be endured so long as men fight, and…no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right."

Which statement evaluates the impact of this ruling on American society?

• Legal scholars were targets of investigations during national crises.

• Critical comments regarding the governing party were no longer tolerated.

• Public debates concerning issues of national security were no longer tolerated.

• Civil liberties were subject to interpretation during a national crisis.

Which World War I policy conflicted with the United States tradition of respecting individual liberty?

• Placing taxes on consumers for luxury goods

• Encouraging people to enlist in the military

• Prosecuting American citizens for expressing dissent about the war

• Encouraging people to ration goods for the military

The excerpt below is from a 1919 speech delivered by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge to Congress.

"To Congress is granted by the Constitution the right to declare war, and nothing that would take the troops out of the country at the bidding or demand of other nations should ever be permitted except through congressional action. The lives of Americans must never be sacrificed except by the will of the American people expressed through their chosen Representatives in Congress. This is a point upon which no doubt can be permitted."

Which post-World War I debate led to the concerns stated by Cabot?

• Should Congress create a rationing program during wartime?

• Should Congress declare war against Germany?

• Should Congress pass laws that limit freedom of speech?

• Should Congress ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

This poster was published in 1918. Based on the poster, which of the following contributed to the American decision to abandon a policy of neutrality and enter World War I?

• American desire to maintain freedom of the seas.

• Demands to take over colonies belonging to the Allies.

• Need to prevent German attacks on Latin America.

• Shortage of Liberty Bonds that supported military expenses.

Why did the Senate reject the Versailles Treaty (1919)?

• to express opposition to the harsh sanctions imposed on Germany.

• to avoid the dues for membership in the League of Nations.

• to keep the United States free from foreign entanglements.

• to reduce the United States' military forces in Europe.

Which argument did President Woodrow Wilson use to persuade Congress to enter World War I?

• The United States must take revenge for the Spanish sinking of the warship Maine

• The United States must create international conditions suitable to democratic governments

• The United States must expand its imperial control in order to maintain its access to oil markets

• The United States must end poverty around the world by dramatically increasing its foreign aid.

• It was a significant benefit to the American economy

• It created an unfavorable balance of trade.

• It caused the United States trade deficit to increase.

• It cost the United States many billions of dollars.

American society experienced a change in gender roles during World War I.

"During the course of the war, 21,480 U.S. Army nurses (military nurses were all women then) served in military hospitals in the United States and overseas. The Navy enlisted 13,000 American women during World War I, who primarily served in clerical positions. They received the same benefits and responsibilities as men, including identical pay. Women also took on roles in the workforce that had traditionally been reserved for men. Many worked on the assembly lines of factories, producing tanks, trucks and munitions."

Which of the following analyzes the impact of this change in gender roles?

• It disrupted the family structure and led to an increase in divorce rates.

• It led to widespread support for a declaration of war on Germany.

• It dramatically increased the unemployment rate for men

• It created broader support for women's suffrage.

• Sell weapons for the war effort

• Promote enlistment in the military

• Encourage young men to join the Boy Scouts

• Provide funding for the war effort

• The President was successful in achieving his post-war foreign policy objectives.

• After the war, the US led the way in global humanitarian efforts.

• After the war, the US participated in peacekeeping efforts in Europe.

• Congress refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles for fear of involving the US in foreign entanglements.