US Entry into World War I The Beginning of World War I

The Stage is Set for War 8/14/1914: 8 European Nations at war Central Powers: Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Allied Powers Great Britain France Serbia Belgium Russia

The Great War Firsts “World War” “Total War” 30+ countries declare war Many more indirectly (supplies, troops, etc) “Total War” All aspects of citizen life affected Soldiers Rations Propaganda Governments take over economy “Modern War” New Fighting Style New Technology

The War Spreads Participant Countries in World War I Japan Support Allies Want Germany’s Pacific Colonies Italy Broke Alliance Joins Allies Turkey (Ottoman Empire) / Bulgaria: Join Central Powers, Armenian Genocide Fighting Spreads to Africa, Asia, Europe Participant Countries in World War I Allies Central Powers Neutral

Armenian Christians massacred by the Ottoman Turks (800,000 - 1 Armenian Christians massacred by the Ottoman Turks (800,000 - 1.5 million in total)

The War Begins August 1914: Millions to war Soldiers will be “home by Christmas” Ruins of Ypres

Propaganda Propaganda

America at the Start of WWI European Act American Response World War 1 Begins (1914) Wilson keeps US neutral European Propaganda attempts to change American opinion Americans support Wilson Britain refuses to allow American goods to Germany: seize goods to curtail American trade with Germany Wilson protests act, but does nothing more. Germans state they will attack all merchant ships with their U-Boats Wilson says Germany will be held accountable U-Notes German U-Boat against traditional rules: stop, search, allow escape, sinking U-Boats: Sink without warning German Aggression reaches turning point in May, 1915

The Sinking of the Lusitania On May 2nd, 1915, the British passenger liner Lusitania was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat (submarine). 1,195 passengers, including 128 Americans, lost their lives. Americans were outraged and put pressure on the government to enter the war. President Woodrow Wilson, however, stood firm and instead sent a letter of protest to Germany. Germany claimed the ship was carrying war supplies, but Britain denied this claim. German leaders told their captains to be more careful selecting ships, but the American public had turned against Germany.

The Zimmerman Telegram Sent by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Arthur Zimmerman Intercepted by British Intelligence Informed US Document sent to newspapers, made public Americans upset American Entrance to War Multiple events (sinking ships) Often seen as main cause/final straw

Neutrality Quotes Part A “We have been deeply wronged upon the seas, but we have not wished to wrong or injure in return; we wish nothing that can be had only at the cost of another people. We stand firm in armed neutrality. We desire neither conquest nor advantage. To the people of the countries now at war, we want peace without victory.” – Woodrow Wilson When would President Wilson likely have said this? What is “armed neutrality?” What is “peace without victory?” What is Wilson saying?

Neutrality Quotes Part B “It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” – George Washington “Friendship and trade with all nations; Entangling alliances with none.” – Thomas Jefferson What stands out to you about these two quotes? Based solely on these quotes, what do you think Jefferson and Washington would have said to President Wilson after Wilson said his previous quote? What is “armed neutrality?” How are these quotes different from how the US operates today? How would the world be different if the US still adhered to these rules/principles of our forefathers?