World War I DBQ Essay PDF

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essay on WWI...

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From 1914 - 1918, also known as the Progressive Era, countries all over the world were involved in World War I. America was still going through the reforms that the Progressive Era brought such as political reform and social activism when World War I started. America was forced into the war after intercepting messages, losing the lives of many civilians to unrestricted submarine warfare, and to protect democracy. The United States culture, domestic politics, and its society was greatly affected after joining the war. American culture was affected by the passing of the nineteenth amendment. Before the Progressive Era, women did not have the same rights as men. Women were not allowed to vote, they could not own property or have a paying job. Women were expected to focus on house work and motherhood. However, after the nineteenth amendment was passed this all changed. Women were given the right to vote and they could now work and have paying jobs (document 1). Although the women's right to vote was a positive affect on US culture, there was also a negative affect. Violence began to erupt amongst the US citizens that were believed to be disloyal against the US. Many German-Americans were harassed and threatened just for being German. In addition, many people within the socialist party were harassed just for opposing the war and the acts that were being passed. In the Supreme Court Case Schenck v. US, Charles Schenck was arrested for violating the Espionage Act. He was a part of the Socialist party and believed that the drafts for the army was linked to slavery. He had claimed that his first amendment rights had been violated. However, the Supreme Court did not agree and they claimed that in times of war, the government is allowed to put limits on the freedom of speech (document 7). The culture of the United States went through a drastic change after World War I and it caused many problems but also solved many at the same time. Domestic politics was also greatly affected. The war resulted in an increased demand for weapons abroad. This led to increased profits and heightened productivity in the American steel industry. Domestic politics were also affected with the propaganda posters. These posters would tell Americans to plant victory gardens, ration their food, and buy war bonds (document 6). These posters caused the domestic lives of american citizens to change greatly because now everyone was being affected by the war. The changes in domestic politics affected society. World War I destroyed empires, created numerous new nation-states, encouraged independence movements in European colonies, forced the US to become a world power and led directly to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler. With all of these effects, there were many reasons why the US joined World War I. one of these reasons was the Zimmerman telegram. The US had intercepted a message from Germany to Mexico. Germany was trying to create an alliance with Mexico and have them distract the US. If they joined the alliance and won the war, Germany said that Mexico could take back the land that they lost to the US (document 2). After intercepting the Zimmerman telegram, the US was losing patience towards Germany but still remained neutral. However, the neutrality of the US did not last long. Germany was participating in unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany was sinking all and any ships that were going to Europe and they were sinking ships without warning. The US had finally had enough when a German submarine sunk

the Lusitania, costing the US money, resources, and civilian lives (document 3). After the sinking of the Lusitania, the US decided they had had enough and joined the fight against Germany. The United States joined WWI for many reasons. Staying neutral seemed to be the best option at first, but it was later decided that staying neutral was no longer an option. Joining the war was the only way for the US to defend democracy and the effects of the war have been echoing throughout history for years and years....