America’s Involvement in WW1

Major battles Battle of Tannerberg (Aug 1914)- Russian advance into Germany Halted on country borders Battle of Gallipoli (April 1915)- Allied forces defeated by Ottomans trying to establish a supply route to Russia Battle of Ypres (May, 1915)- Germans first use chemical weapons Battle of the Somme (July, 1916)- first use of tanks by the British

Battle of Verdun the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. Feb-Dec. 1916 war of attrition- wear down the other army till they surrender 700,000 total soldiers die

Pacifists American people are divided on whether to go to war or not pacifist – person opposed to all war

U.S. involvement American banks and government sent supplies to both Germans and British Britain, started a naval blockade to block contraband (war supplies) from reaching Germany German U-boats (submarines) attacked allied ships to stop blockade

Sinking Ships Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- attacking all ships Lusitania (1915) – a British passenger ship is sunk by a German U-boat killing 1,200 including 128 Americans Sussex (1916) – a French ship sunk by a German U-boat killed 80 Americans

Election of 1916 Election of 1916 – with the war raging in Europe, President Wilson runs for reelection campaigning on the slogan, “he kept us out of war,” Wilson wins

Zimmerman note Zimmerman Note (1917) – German-letter sent to Mexico that asks Mexico to join the Centrals Power and attack the U.S. *promised the Mexican Cession (southwestern U.S.) would be returned to Mexico when the Central Powers won

Saving Democracy Continued attacks on passenger ships and the Zimmerman note led Wilson to ask to go to war. Stated, “We need to make the world safe for democracy.”

Organizing a war effort Selective Service Act of 1917 – ww1 military draft America enters the war April 6th 1917