AMERICAN EXPERIENCE - Joyce

Read textbook chapter 16 ("World War I and Its Aftermath -- 1914-1920), section 1 only ("The United States Enters World War I"), pages 548-555 and answer the questions below (be familiar with the bold, italicized terms and their meaning):

1. What is militarism?

2. Why did the system of alliances in Europe promote militarism?

3. Study the map on page 549 -- why might Britain think it had to have the strongest navy in Europe?

4. From the same map -- why would Germany fear France might go to war with them?

5. How did nationalism help bring on war?

6. How did a terrorist attack set off the chain of events that led to world war in the summer of 1914?

7. How did British propaganda lead most Americans to root for Britain against Germany in World War I?

8. Why did American business support Britain against Germany?

9. After reading "Debates in History: Should America Stay Neutral in World War I" (pages 552-553),

       a) Explain when Senator Works believes war is justified.

       b) Explain why Senator Lansing believed Germany was a threat to the United States.

      c) What was the focus of the neutrality debate?