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Woodrow Wilson’s Presidential Term
Woodrow Wilson was elected as the 28th president of the United States. He served two terms, the second of which ended in 1921. -
WW1
Sparked by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. Alliances started moving in on each other before eventually declaring war. Ended November 11, 1918. -
RMS Lusitania sinking
The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U Boat while carrying passengers. The sinking helped contribute to the United States entering WW1. -
First Woman Elected to Congress
Jeannette Rankin was elected to the House of Representatives from Montana. She ran as a Republican and participated in both the 65th and 77th Congresses. -
Great Migration
Over 6 million African Americans moved from the South to the North, Midwest, and West, usually for better opportunities. Ended around 1970. -
Selective Service Act
Authorized the president to draft soldiers for WW1. Required all men between ages 21 to 30 to register for military service. The act was urged by President Wilson after pledging resources to help the Allies in the war and only ~100,000 men volunteered. -
Espionage Act
Passed after the US entered WW1. Made it a crime to convey info intended to interfere with the war effort or to promote the success of enemies. The Sedition Act enforced it and was overall stricter. -
Lenin led a Russian Revolution
Lenin created the Bolshevik Party and started a coup d’état against the Duma’s government. The current government consisted of leaders from the bourgeois class. Lenin wanted a Soviet government directly ruled by soldiers, peasants, and workers. Ended the following day, with Lenin becoming the dictator of the first communist state. -
Influenza epidemic
The very deadly spreading of the H1N1 variant of the flu. More people died from this than WW1. Also called the Spanish Flu. Ended in 1919. -
Woodrow’s 14 Points
Principles for national security and world peace. President Wilson used them for negotiations to end WW1 in an address for the joint meeting of Congress. Was part of Germany and Austria-Hungary’s agreement to an armistice. Most of the Allied nations disagreed with the Points. -
Sedition Act
Prohibited slander against the United States, its government, and the war effort. Targeted socialists, pacifists, and others against the war. The guilty were fined $10k(~$183k today), imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both. -
Shenck vs. US
Landmark Supreme Court case about a conviction under the Espionage Act. Debated whether the Espionage Act violated the 1st Amendment or not. Was unanimously decided that freedom of speech could be restricted if the words represented a “clear and present danger” to society. -
US Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles
Rejection was basd on objections to the League of Nations, which the US never joins. Many also didn’t want to be involved in European disputes. -
The First Ponzi Scheme is discovered
Charles Ponzi ran an investment scheme where he would exchange international reply coupons for postage stamps worth more than he purchased them for in 1919. He was arrested August 12, 1920 and charged with 86 counts of mail fraud. -
19th Amendment
Allowed all women to vote, in theory. The Secenca Falls Convention of 1848 helped kickstart the effort towards the amendment. -
Teapot Dome Scandal
A bribery scandal involving President Warren G. Harding's administration. Ended around 1929 with Albert B. Fall (Secretary of the Interior)’s conviction. -
First Winter Olympics
Held in Chamomix, France. Called International Winter Sports Week before being renamed in 1925. 16 nations participated. Concluded February 5. -
Indian Citizenship Act
Also known as the Snyder Act. Declared all Native Americans born within US borders as citizens. Signed by President Coolidge. -
First SAT
The first SAT was given to 8000 students. They had 97 minutes to answer 315 questions. Such questions included being tested on a fake language and . -
First Solo Transatlantic Flight
Charles Lindbergh flew The Spirit of St. Lewis nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean to compete for a $25k prize (~$380k today). Took off in Long Island, NY and landed in Paris, France the following day.
