Crash Course US History - America in World War I

Who was re-elected in 1916 running on the slogan "he kept us out of war"?

• Woodrow Wilson

• William Howard Taft

• Teddy Roosevelt

• Calvin Coolidge

Answer explanation

Woodrow Wilson was re-elected in 1916 with the slogan 'he kept us out of war.' This slogan referred to his efforts to maintain American neutrality during World War I. Wilson's re-election campaign emphasized his success in keeping the United States out of the conflict, which was a significant issue for many voters at the time. The other options, William Howard Taft, Teddy Roosevelt, and Calvin Coolidge, were not involved in the 1916 election with this slogan.

Which event was not a DIRECT factor for the U.S. entering WWI, as it occurred almost two years before the U.S. entered the war?

• Sinking of the Lusitania

• Zimmerman Telegram

• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Answer explanation

The sinking of the Lusitania was not a direct factor for the U.S. entering WWI, as it occurred almost two years before the U.S. entered the war. The Zimmerman Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare were more immediate factors that contributed to the U.S. joining the conflict.

Which of the following are factors of the US declaring war on Germany during WWI?

• Sinking of the Lusitania

• Zimmerman Telegram

• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

• Russian Revolution (World less safe for democracy)

• U.S. loaning Britain nearly 2 billion dollars

Answer explanation

The factors that led to the US declaring war on Germany during WWI include the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmerman Telegram, and unrestricted submarine warfare. The Russian Revolution and the US loaning Britain money were significant events, but they were not direct causes for the US entering the war.

What was Woodrow Wilson's plan for world peace?

• 14 Points

• Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

• The Bill of Rights

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer explanation

Woodrow Wilson's plan for world peace was called the 14 Points. This plan aimed to establish a lasting peace after World War I by addressing the causes of the conflict and promoting self-determination, free trade, and disarmament. The other options, such as the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, the Bill of Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are not related to Wilson's plan for world peace.

Which notable American authors fought in World War I?

• Ernest Hemingway

• F. Scott Fitzgerald

• J.R.R. Tolkien

• C.S. Lewis

Answer explanation

Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, two notable American authors, served in World War I. Hemingway served as an ambulance driver on the Italian front, while Fitzgerald was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry but never saw combat. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, on the other hand, are British authors, not American.

Which of the following are examples of the U.S. government's expanded powers during WWI?

• Selective Service Act

• The War Industries Board

• War Labor Board

• The Espionage and Sedition Act

Answer explanation

The U.S. government expanded its powers during WWI through several measures, including the Selective Service Act, the War Industries Board, the War Labor Board, and the Espionage and Sedition Act. These actions allowed the government to control various aspects of the war effort, such as military conscription, industrial production, labor relations, and suppressing dissent.

The Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel, created a wave of propaganda. What is it most famously known for?

• Four Minute Men

• Movie Posters

• War Novels

• Newspaper Ads

Answer explanation

The Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel, is most famously known for the Four Minute Men. This group of volunteers delivered short, patriotic speeches in support of the U.S. government's war efforts during World War I. They were called Four Minute Men because their speeches were designed to be around four minutes long, fitting into the time it took to change reels in movie theaters.

Which acts greatly repressed civil liberties in the U.S. during the War?

• Espionage & Sedition Acts

• The Patriot Act

• The 21st Amendment

• The 5th Amendment

Answer explanation

The Espionage and Sedition Acts were enacted during World War I to suppress dissent and criticism of the government's war efforts. These acts greatly repressed civil liberties in the U.S. by limiting free speech and allowing the government to prosecute individuals for expressing anti-war sentiments. The other options, The Patriot Act, The 21st Amendment, and The 5th Amendment, are not directly related to the repression of civil liberties during the war.

Which American Socialist was sentenced to 15 years in prison for giving an anti-war speech and later ran for President from prison?

• Eugene Debs

• Bernie Sanders

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

• Martin Luther King

Answer explanation

Eugene Debs was an American Socialist who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for giving an anti-war speech during World War I. Despite being in prison, he ran for President in the 1920 election, receiving nearly a million votes. The other options, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Martin Luther King, were not involved in similar situations.

Which U.S. court case upheld that the government can limit speech when it presents a clear and present danger? This is why you can't "shout fire in a crowded theater".

• Schenck v. U.S.

• Marbury v. Madison

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Korematsu v. U.S.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Schenck v. U.S. This U.S. Supreme Court case upheld that the government can limit speech when it presents a 'clear and present danger'. This is often paraphrased as the principle that one cannot 'shout fire in a crowded theater' without facing legal consequences. The other options, Marbury v. Madison, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Korematsu v. U.S., are unrelated to this specific issue of free speech.