 Generally targeted unarmed enemy merchant ships.  Germany has 29 at the beginning of WWI  Sink 5 British cruisers within the first 10 weeks of the war  Responsible for the loss of over 11 tons of allied shipping  Germans institute policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.

 March 24 th, 1916 German U-boat sinks what they had thought was an enemy mine-laying ship.  French passenger ship called “The Sussex” (50 people killed)  President Wilson issues a formal warning to Germany to halt unrestricted submarine warfare.

 Promise given by the German government to the United States on May, 4 th 1916 in regards to submarine warfare.  Passenger ships would not be targeted  Merchant ships would not be sunk until the presence of weapons had been established  Merchant ships would not be sunk without the provision for safety of passengers and crew.

 Wilhelm II is convinced by the German Naval officers to resume unrestricted U-Boat Activity.  Argued the pledge was void due to U.S. neutral status  United States had actively shipped/supplied ammunitions to the Entente

 German Chancellor Theobald von Bethman-Hollweg protests Germany's decision.  States that Germany’s decision will ultimately lead to U.S. involvement in WWI  Will lead to German defeat in the War.

 Germany will resume U-Boat activity (unrestricted submarine warfare)  Feb 3, > President Wilson severs diplomatic relations with Germany.  Refrains from declaring war ->  German subs will begin to target German ships.

 January 19, 1917, British Naval Intelligence intercepts a telegraph ->  Germany proposes an alliance between themselves and Mexico  Promises Mexico territory lost to the United States.

 British share this information with the U.S following violation of the Sussex Pledge  Public opinion is swayed from anti-war  U.S. enters -> Germany begins to sink U.S. ships  United States Objective: “Vindicate principles of Peace and Justice in life of world”

 Era of American Politics from the 1890’s to the Great Depression  Attempt to apply rational, scientific management to the government, economy, and society  Federal government will set up temporary agencies  Economy redirected to the production of munitions and food necessary for war

 Director of the United States Food Administration  Launches widespread campaign to create food budgets/ration  Managed nation’s food and distribution process/costs.

 Selective Service Act of 1917 strengthens the military.  Service is involuntary  Men between must register for military service.  Up to 10 million men had registered at this time.

 June 1917 First U.S. troops arrive in France  2 million Americans in Europe by 1918  Referred to as “Yanks”, “Sammies”

 Becomes the most popular nickname for the American troops in the war  American military operations along the Mexican boarder in 1916  Marching foot soldiers covered in white adobe dust  “Doughboy” tied to Americans who were “Over there”

 Majority of American Expeditionary Forces made impact on the Western Front  Front lines in “quiet” sectors to gain combat experience  Normal Procedure:  Intensive Training in rear of front lines.  Serve in quiet sectors with French and British  Occupying sectors of their own

 African Americans serve in large numbers in WWI  Racism in the armed forces led to segregated units  Most of which were relegated to serve support units

 May 28, 1918: marks first American offensive/battle of WWI  AEF works with French military to capture the village of Cantigny from German forces  American infantry proceeds into village behind 12 French tanks  Allied victory, expands allied front by 1 mile

 Forested area of northern France occupied by German forces  Key positioning on Paris  Germany holds positional advantage through use of machine guns in wooded area.  U.S. Marine Corps finally break through to re- capture the Belleu-Wood.  10,000 American casualties