The U.S. Declares War Chapter 6.2

Lecture Focus Question How did U.S. entrance into the war affect Americans on the home front?

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare U-boat: German submarine Used to prevent supplies from reaching Allied troops Targeted British ships specifically German U-boat sinks Lusitania, a British passenger ship 1,200 civilians killed GB used this event to apply pressure on U.S. to join war effort

Weapons & Warfare First few years of war best described as stalemate Defensive weapons more deadly than offensive weapons Trench warfare Machine guns Poison gases (chlorine gas, mustard gas) Military leaders kept giving orders to attack  not used to new weapons First few years of war best described as stalemate

The Zimmerman Note Zimmerman sent telegram to Mexico Intercepted by GB Secret offer to Mexico If Mexico declared war on U.S., Germany would reward it with territory in the American Southwest

Russian Revolution Russians suffered severe casualties 1.5 million dead 2.5 million taken prisoner 1917: Russian Revolution begins Russians forced to exit WWI Russian Revolution put increased pressure on remaining allies GB steps up efforts to convince U.S. to enter war

U.S. Declares War German U-boats sink 3 U.S. ships (City of Memphis, Illinois, and Vigilancia) 1917: U.S. officially declares war Wilson’s speech:“The world must be made safe for democracy.”

The Home Front Selective Service Act: authorized draft of young men for military service Conscientious objectors: people whose moral/religious beliefs forbid them to fight in war Liberty Bonds: used to fund WWI

Limits on 1st Amendment Rights Espionage Act: banned treasonous or seditious printed materials – limited freedom of speech Schenck v. U.S. Urged Americans to sign petition to repeal military draft Actions presented a “clear and present danger”

Minorities & WWI African Americans Women W.E.B. Du Bois: “If this is our country, this is our war” Segregated troops, used primarily for manual labor in WWI Great Migration: great movement from rural South to industrial North Mexican Americans Great movement north into the U.S. from Mexico to escape poverty Creation of barrios in California Women Filled men’s jobs in factories, railroads, etc Joined Red Cross as nurses, ambulance drivers, doctors Wilson convinced to support demands for suffrage 19th Amendment ratified in 1920

Lecture Focus Question How did U.S. entrance into the war affect Americans on the home front?