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America’s Entry into World War I: Why and How It Happened

Explore the early stages of the U.S. involvement in World War I, the various factors and events that led to the nation entering the conflict, including economic ties, submarine warfare, propaganda, the role of President Wilson, peace efforts, and the aftermath of the Treaty of Versailles.

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America’s Entry into World War I: Why and How It Happened

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  1. Would America get Involved? -Early in the war most Americans not want in -not everyone agreed on who should win though Critics of war: 1.Socialists: Capitalist and Imperialists were using little countries for their benefits 2. Pacifists: War was evil Some just didn’t see it as our fight I did not raise my boy to be a soldier

  2. Old Country • Ties to old country • -some supported their home country • some Germans want Germany some Irish want Germany, because Brit. Had been bad to Irish • -Many US supported Brits because they were like cousins • -Germany’s aggressiveness caused some here to hate them

  3. Money & Friends • Money makes Friends • -More then anything we were tied economically to the Allies • -When war started, Allies gave us business we needed • -We were making money off of war, • labor shortage • As much as the people of the US wanted to stay out of war, we could not stay out, it was just a question of when

  4. Brits start a Blockade: • -Britain wanted to starve Germany out • Germany has little water access, so Britain tried to stop all supplies coming to it • US at first happy to do business with anyone at first, but now forced to only do business with Brits • Result: Germans starve: 750,000 starve to death • Germany had to respond, helps US get into war

  5. U Boats • Germany uses submarines to sink British ships -Does not follow rules of war • 1915: Lusitania sunk: 1198 dead, 128 Americans • -Germans said liner had war supplies on it • -US starts to lean towards war • Three months later: Arabic sunk: 2 Americans • 1916: Sussex sunk, more Americans killed • -Sussex Pledge: Germany claims to not sink anymore ships if Britain will open shipping routes: US only hears Germany will not sink more ships.

  6. Germany uses submarines to sink British ships • -Does not follow rules of war • 1915: Lusitania sunk: 1198 dead, 128 Americans • -Germans said liner had war supplies on it • -US starts to lean towards war • Three months later: Arabic sunk: 2 Americans • 1916: Sussex sunk, more Americans killed • -Sussex Pledge: Germany claims to not sink anymore ships if Britain will open shipping routes: US only hears Germany will not sink more ships.

  7. WAR • April 2nd: War declared, Congress voted to support -Wilson called it a war to make the World Safe for Democracy -Also was going to be called the War to end All Wars • What would happen now?

  8. US Prepares For Fighting • US military in horrible shape pre-war • Less then 200,000 men • Need to increase army • Selective Service Act 1917 • All men 18-45 • 24 million registered

  9. Propaganda worked • Army rose to 3 million • Most no high school education or had ever left town • African Americans allowed in Army, but not Navy or Marines • Segregated units • Many stuck in non combat units

  10. Wilson had a plan for Peace called The 14 Points • 1.No secret treaties • 2. Freedom of Seas • 3. Lower tariffs to increase trade • 4. Reduce militaries • 5.No more colonizing • 6-13->New boundaries for countries • 14. League of Nations • All countries could peacefully settle disagreements • Like a modern UN • Many countries not happy because did not punish Germany

  11. Treaty of Versailles

  12. Peace talks held in FranceNo Central Powers presentWho was there? Big 4 Clemenceau: FranceGeorge: BritainOrlando: ItalyWilson: US

  13. The Meat of the Treaty • 9 new countries created • Central Powers and Russia all lost land • Will cause future issues • Germany • Blamed for war • Lost all colonies • Not allowed to have army • Lost all industry • Had to pay 33 billion in reparations

  14. Some people thought it punished too much • Some did not like LN • For example, Henry Cabot Lodge (R) • Believed it could be looked at as another alliance • Took away US power? Because we would have to ask other countries permission?

  15. Consequence of War

  16. US • recognized as a super power • More integration • Europe and Russia left in a state of destruction • Needed to rebuild • Most countries went to a dictator to help through hard times • Germany did not forget how they were treated

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