World War I

1. World War I Outcome: Events Prior to U.S. Entry

2. Events Prior to U.s. entry • U.S. Position: Neutrality • President Wilson encouraged neutrality in “thought & action” • Neutrality Problems • U.S. traded w/both sides, but ties w/Great Britain were strongest • Common language, customs, and government • By 1917, U.S. loans to the Allies reached $2.3 billion

3. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Great Britain spread anti-German propaganda to the U.S. • G. Britain blockaded Europe, stopping our trade w/Germany (famine) • Germany began submarine warfare (violated “freedom of seas”) • Attacked ships in Allied ports • Declared a “war zone” around the British Isles

4. German u-boat (Submarine)

5. Anti German Propaganda

6. The Lusitania

7. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915) • U.S.-German relations worsen • Germany questioned U.S. neutrality & the ship’s cargo • Ship was loaded with contraband purchased from the U.S. • Wilson demanded in a letter of protest that Germany end sub warfare, & apologize and pay reparations to the families

9. Events Prior to U.s. entry • March 1916: The French ship Sussex was sunk w/Americans on board. Germany agreed to the “Sussex Pledge,” a promise to warn ships before sinking them.

10. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Election of 1916 • (D) Wilson: “Dove” and (R) Charles E. Hughes: “Hawk” • Both hand campaigned for peace & neutrality • TR may have hurt (R) chances for victory with pro-war speeches • Cliff-hanger: Wilson won by 20 electoral votes (CA decided the outcome) • Message: Did the citizens of the US want to go to war despite Wilson??

11. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Events to US Entry • By 1916, the War in Europe became stalemated on both fronts • Western Front = 500 miles of trenches extending from the English Channel to the Adriatic Sea (Defended by France and Great Britain) • Eastern Front = line defended by Russia • Little progress & high casualties led to frustration on both sides

15. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare to break the deadlock • Stopped issuing warnings; 3 U.S. ships were sunk in one day • The Kaiser felt confident the U.S. would not enter the war • U.S. responded by ending diplomatic relations w/Germany

16. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Zimmerman Note (“Last Straw”) published on March 1, 1917) • Letter from Germany to Mexico asking for an alliance against the U.S. • Intercepted and decoded by Great Britain • Pro-war fever intensified in the U.S.; TR demanded we enter in the name of self-defense. Soon after, 4 more unarmed U.S. ships were sunk. • March 1917, Russia surrendered to Germany

17. Events Prior to U.s. entry • Wilson asked Congress for a Declaration of War on April 2, 1917 • Enemy: German government, not the German people • Wilson: “America must go to war to make the world safe for democracy” • Congress declared war on April 6, 1917

18. Events Prior to U.s. entry • The War in Europe • The Allies were weakened in 1917 • In March, 1917 a Russian peoples’ revolt overthrew Czar Nicholas II and a provisional government was set up • In November 1917, this weak gov’t was overthrown by the Bolsheviksled by Nikolai Lenin, eventually resulting in a communist government • In December, 1917 Russia agreed to an armistice on the EasternFront and withdrew, leaving Germany to fight a 1 front war (All German forces could now be sent to the Western Front in concentration)

19. Events Prior to U.s. entry • June, 1917: 1st U.S. troops arrive in Europe • A.E.F. = American Expeditionary Forces were led by General John Pershing • By 1918, 2 million U.S. “Doughboys” were in France • Wilson began plans for permanent peace based on his 14 Points

20. America and World War I