7 th Grade Social Studies Harold E. Winkler Middle School

Before the U.S. Joined World War I  Isolationism – a policy of avoiding political or military involvement with other countries.  Despite neutrality, the United States had sympathy for the Allies… Why? 1. Ancestral ties with Great Britain. Common language and religion. 2. The United States and Great Britain had strong trade ties. 3. Propaganda newsreels portrayed the Germans as barbaric.

American Propaganda

Here Come the Yanks! Event #1  Germans declared the waters around Britain a war zone…unrestricted submarine warfare.  Germans sank 5,000 ships including U.S. ships, bringing war supplies (guns, ammunition, money, etc.) to Great Britain.  May 7 th, 1915: British passenger ship, Lusitania sunk… killing 124 Americans.

The Lusitania

Here Come the Yanks! Event #2 February, 1917: The Zimmerman Telegram (Note)  Germany attempts to gain Mexico as an ally.  British intelligence intercepted and decoded the message and give note to President Wilson.  Americans became outraged!  April 2, 1917: President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany.

Zimmerman Telegram

U.S. Mobilizes for War! May 1917: Selective Service Act June 5, 1917: First day of draft Men between the ages of were drafted… Manpower Act extends registration to 18-45

United States in World War I June, 1917, first U.S. troops arrive in France. Doughboys = nickname for U.S. infantrymen. Commanded by General John J. Pershing.

Flocabulary