The United States entered the conflict on the side of the Allies America’s Road to War The United States entered the conflict on the side of the Allies

American Neutrality President Wilson declared that the United States would be neutral in the war. Despite Wilson’s plea to remain neutral, Americans soon began to take sides. To gain the support of Americans, both sides in the war used propaganda to influence opinions. Trade between the US. and the Allies helped build support for the Allied cause. To stop American aid to Britain, Germany announced in Feb. 1915 that it would use its U-boats to sink any vessels that entered or left British ports. May 7, 1915 the British passenger liner Lusitania was sunk by German u-boats & Pres. Wilson denounced the attack. Several months latter the French passenger ship Sussex was torpedoed, Germany offered to compensate Americans injured and promised to warn neutral ships before attacking

The End of Neutrality Summer of 1916 – Congress doubled the size of the army and provided funds to build new warships. With the slogan “He Kept Us Out of War” Pres. Wilson was re-elected President. January 1917 Germany reversed its policy on submarine warfare. A secret telegram from the Germans to Mexico – the Zimmerman Telegram - was intercepted by the British and angered Americans. Revolution in Russia –With Russia’s change to a democratic form of government, Wilson could now claim that the Allies were fighting a war of democracy against autocracy.

In March 1917 – critical events took place at sea – Germans attacked and sank four American ships. President Wilson decided that the U.S. could no longer remain neutral and asked for a declaration of war against Germany on April 2, 1917. Congress passed a declaration and Wilson signed it on April 6, 1917. 56 members of the House and Senate voted against war including Rep. Jeannette Rankin of Montana – the first woman to serve in Congress.

Congress passed the Selective Service Act on May 18, 1917 establishing a military draft in order to raise an army quickly. 24 million men registered – 3 million called to serve and another 2 million joined voluntarily Thousands of women enlisted. African Americans also wanted to serve their country but they faced discrimination and racism. Henry Johnson was the first American to receive the French Croix de Guerre for bravery