19.2 The U.S. Declares War

Friction between the U.S. and Germany increased between 1914 to “Preparedness” movement continued to gain support in the U.S.

Submarine Warfare U-Boats-Unterseeboot- were used by Germany to prevent food and supplied from reaching British ports, blockade. At first U-boats rose to the surface allowing sailors to abandon ship. Britain firing on u-boats stopped this.

German navy was not quite as good as England’s, U-boats were only chance at blockade success. Use of U-boats was seen as uncivilized. British cut transatlantic cable to Germany allowing them to manipulate German propaganda.

May 7, 1915 German U-boats sunk the Lusitania, killing 1,200 passengers including 128 Americans. Thought ship was carrying arms-it was. Germany then promised to stop sinking ships without warning and would give ship option of search and seizure.

March 24, 1916 Germany sunk the French Sussex, killing 80 including 2 Americans. Germany again promised to warn ships first with the Sussex Pledge. Wilson was growing impatient and began asking Congress to start making huge loans to the Allies.

Moving Toward War January 31, 1917 Germany ended the Sussex Pledge. Wilson then asked Congress for permission to arm American merchant ships. Britain then intercepted the Zimmerman note.

German’s foreign secretary made Mexico an offer to attack the U.S. If victorious Germany would give Mexico its lost land in the Southwest. The telegram was not taken seriously by the govt. but it helped sway public opinion towards war.

Russian then ousted its autocrat, Czar Nicholas II, in its revolution March This made it easier for the U.S. to support Russia being that they now had a republican govt. April 2, 1917 Wilson stated, “the world must be made safe for democracy.

War resolution was passed: 82 to 6 in senate. 373 to 50 in the House.