Chapter 18 of 25
The Great War and New Rights
In 1913, two amendments changed how Americans relate to their government. The 16th Amendment allowed a federal income tax. One way Americans can serve their countryQ70 is to pay taxes, which fund roads, schools, the military and more. Paying federal taxes is importantQ71 because it is required by law.
The 17th Amendment changed how senators are chosen. Before 1913, state legislatures picked them. Since then, U.S. senators have been elected byQ32 citizens from their state.
When war broke out in Europe in 1914, most Americans wanted to stay out of it. One war fought by the United States in the 1900sQ100 was World War I. The United States entered World War IQ101 in April 1917 because Germany attacked U.S. ships. German submarines had sunk the liner Lusitania in 1915, killing 128 Americans, and in 1917 Germany said it would sink any ship near Britain without warning.
The fighting stopped at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. That date, November 11, became Armistice Day and later Veterans DayQ128, a holiday to honor people in the military: all who have served, living or dead. An easy way to tell it from Memorial Day: Memorial Day remembers those who died; Veterans Day thanks everyone who served.
At home, women had kept factories and hospitals running during the war. Their 70-year campaign finally won the 19th Amendment. All women got the right to voteQ102 in 1920.