The Debate & Decision For War

The War Debate After the Lusitania crisis, a small but vocal minority of influential Republicans called for war Including Teddy Roosevelt Feared a German victory would tilt the balance of power in Europe Majority of Americans were thankful for the booming economy and peace

Preparedness Even pro-war advocates understood the U.S. military was hopelessly unprepared for a major war Called for preparedness (greater defense spending) after war broke out in Europe Wilson at first opposed preparedness, but changed his mind in late 1915 Urged Congress to approve an ambitious expansion of the military

Preparedness Wilson went on a nation-wide speaking tour to promote preparedness June 1916- finally convinced Congress to pass the National Defense Act Increased the regular army to 175,000; approved the construction of more than 50 warships in just one year

Opposition to War Many Americans opposed preparedness Feared it would lead directly to U.S. involvement in the war Anti-war groups included Populists, Progressives, and Socialists Women suffragists actively campaigned against military buildup Would later support the war effort after war was declared in the U.S.

The Election of 1916 Wilson won in 1912 largely due to the split between conservative Republicans and the Progressive Party Wilson’s chances for reelection did not seem strong after Roosevelt rejoined the Republicans Charles Evans Hughes (Supreme Court justice, former gov. of N.Y.) became candidate for Republican party

The Election of 1916 The Democrats adopted the campaign slogan “He Kept Us Out of War” The peaceful sentiment in the country, Wilson’s progressive record, and Hughes’ weakness as a candidate gave Wilson the victory Very close election

Peace Efforts Wilson made repeated efforts to keep the U.S. out of the war as well as mediate a peace 1915- sent chief foreign policy advisor to London, Paris, and Berlin to negotiate a peace This, and other efforts at mediation, were turned away by both the Allies and Central Powers January 1917- Wilson made a speech to Congress, committing to the idealistic hope for “peace without victory”

Decision for War- Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Most important in the U.S. decision for war was a sudden change in German military strategy Germany decided in early January 1917 to resume unrestricted submarine warfare Believed if they could cut off the supplies to the Allies, they could beat them into submission before the U.S. could even get involved Wilson cut off diplomatic ties to Germany days after being informed of their decision

Other Causes for U.S. Entry into War Zimmerman Telegram German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to Mexico proposing Mexico ally itself with Germany After a presumed victory, Germany would pledge to help return to Mexico its lost territories at the hands of the U.S. (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) Convinced Wilson that Germany fully expected war with the U.S. Russian Revolution Wilson was personally bothered that one of the Allies was Russia, a nation governed by an autocratic czar This barrier to U.S. participation was suddenly removed when Russian revolutionaries overthrew the czar and proclaimed a republic

Declaration of War March 1917- German U-boats sank five unarmed merchant ships Wilson was ready for war April 2, 1917- Wilson asks Congress to recognize a state of war existed between the U.S. and Germany “The world must be made safe for democracy” April 6- an overwhelming majority of Congress voted for war

? What was preparedness? What did the National Defense Act do? Why were groups like the Progressives and women’s suffragists opposed to the war? What were the reasons Wilson won reelection in 1916, despite being a rather unpopular candidate? Why did Germany decide to resume its method of unrestricted submarine warfare? What three major events served as immediate causes for U.S. entry into the war?