Social Studies Study Guide-Spanish-American War and World War I
Name______Date______#______
Parent’s’ signature______
Social Studies Study Guide-Spanish-American War and World War I
Define the following terms:
1. imperialism- nations build empires by adding colonies.
2. yellow journalism- exaggerated news to shock and attract readers.
3. nationalism- the belief that your country deserves success more than others.
4. militarism- the building of a strong military to frighten or defeat other countries.
5. alliance- an agreement nations make to support and defend each other.
6. trenchwarfare- soldiers fight from long narrow ditches.
7. rations- government limits set on goods civilians could have such as meat.
8. propaganda- information used to shape people’s thinking.
9. armistice- an agreement to stop fighting.
10. isolationism- the idea of staying out of world events. (Mind your own business!)
11. What two territories were the last to become US states?
Alaska and Hawaii
12. How did the US acquire Alaska?
The United States purchased it from Russia.
13. What event triggered the beginning of the Spanish-American War?
The sinking of US navy ship “Maine” off the coast of Cuba triggered the beginning of the Spanish-American War. America blamed Spain.
14. What land was acquired by the US as a result of the Spanish-American War?
The US gained the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Cuba became independent.
15. What is the importance of the Panama Canal?
It shortened the route from the east to west coast of the US from months to a few weeks.
16. What two alliances existed in World War I?
The Allied Powers (Allies) and the Central Powers.
17. What event triggered the US involvement in World War I?
A German submarine sank the British passenger ship, “Lusitania” which carried many American passengers.
After promising not to the German subs sank American ships.
18. What new weapons were introduced during WWI?
machine guns, submarines, tanks, poisonous gas; airplanes that dropped bombs.
19. Who worked in the factories making war supplies when most of the men were off fighting?
Women and African Americans from the South
20. What amendment was added as result of women working in factories?
The 19th amendment – allowing women the right to vote.
21. Who won the war?
The Allies
22. How did the treaty of Versailles punish Germany for the war?
Germany lost colonies, gave land to France and paid money to Allied countries.
23. What was the League of Nations?
The League of Nations was a group of representatives from different countries who would try to solve problems peacefully.
24. Why didn’t the United States approve the Treaty of Versailles?
They did not want to be a part of the League of Nations. They feared it would pull the US into future wars.