Cover of Life Magazine January 1, 1914

American Neutrality At the beginning of the war, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the United States would be neutral. However, people soon chose sides. Many Americans were foreign-born or children of immigrants with nationalistic sympathies, and they sided with their countries of origin. Most Americans sided with the Allies.

American Neutrality President Wilson sympathized with the Allies. Both sides used propaganda to influence American opinion. Allied propaganda was more effective than propaganda for the Central Powers.

American Neutrality America’s early involvement included trade with both Germany and Britain. Because of Britain’s blockade, the United States was barred from trading with Germany but continued to trade with Britain.

American Neutrality America’s early involvement included trade with both Germany and Britain. Because of Britain’s blockade, the United States was barred from trading with Germany but continued to trade with Britain. Involvement also included lending Britain and France billions of dollars to help pay for their war efforts.

American Neutrality The United States experienced an economic boom as a result. Germany was angry because the United States, a neutral nation, was helping the Allies.

American Neutrality Germany used its U-boats to stop American aid to Britain, ignoring President Wilson’s warning that it would hold Germany responsible for any American lives lost.

American Neutrality Germany used its U-boats to stop American aid to Britain, ignoring President Wilson’s warning that it would hold Germany responsible for any American lives lost. In May 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger liner Lusitania. The ship sank and more than 1,000 people died, including 128 American citizens.

American Neutrality Another attack occurred several months later when a German U-boat torpedoed an unarmed French passenger ship, Sussex. The resulting Sussex Pledge was a German offering to compensate injured Americans. The Pledge was also a promise to warn neutral ships and passenger vessels before attacking. It temporarily resolved the issue and kept America out of the war.

The End of Neutrality American neutrality ended when Germany reversed its submarine-warfare policy. It said it would sink all merchant vessels, armed or unarmed, sailing to allied ports. President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.

The End of Neutrality A new wave of anti-German feeling grew when a secret telegram, the Zimmermann note, was published. In February 1917, German foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico with an offer of financial support if Mexico would conquer lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The End of Neutrality President Wilson was convinced that the United States could no longer stay neutral. The United States joined the war on the side of the Allies. In order to raise an army, Congress passed the Selective Service Act on May 18, establishing a military draft. Men ages 21 to 30 registered but the draft age was later extended from 18 to 45.

Russia’s involvement and withdrawal in WWI Russian Revolution

Russia Joins WWI in 1914 Fueled national pride – however: WWI strained Russian Resources. Russia was not prepared for a long war. Factories could not turn out supplies fast enough. By 1915, many soldiers had no rifles or ammunition. Poor military leaders led to over 2 million casualties.

Nicholas II Takes Charge In order to increase moral, Tsar Nicholas II goes to the battle front to take charge. The Tsar was no more competent than the Generals he had in charge. He left his wife Alexandra, the tsarina in charge of the Russian Government. She took advice from a peasant named Rasputin that called himself a healer who helped her son that suffered from Hemophilia.

Rasputin Rasputin had complete influence over Alexandra Russian nobles wanted to stop Rasputin, so they invited him over and fed him poison cakes and wine. After he did not die from poison, he was shot twice and thrown into an icy river where he died from drowning, not the poison or the gunshots!

Tsar Nicholas II Steps Down Disaster on the battlefield. Food and fuel shortages in Russia. Citizens demanded Bread! The Tsar resigned under pressure from with his own government. A new provisional government was set up. Many citizens were unhappy that the new government would not withdraw from the war.

Provisional Government’s Mistakes Alexander Kerensky was the leader of the Provisional Government. He ignored the cries of the Russian people for reform. He wanted Russia to continue fighting in WWI, citizens wanted out. Soldiers were deserting the front lines. Peasants and workers wanted land & food.

Bolsheviks V.I. Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks. He was a radical socialist that was opposed to the new government. He was also opposed to staying in the war. He wanted to overthrow the existing Provisional Government. Promised “Peace, Land, and Bread”

Bolshevik Take-Over The Bolsheviks, with help from factory workers, overthrew the Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks ended private ownership of land and distributed land to the peasants. Workers were given control of factories and mines. A new flag with the hammer and sickle symbolized the union between workers and peasants.

Bolshevik Take-Over The Bolsheviks signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in 1918 to end fighting in WWI; Russia withdraws from the war. Civil War breaks out between the “Reds” (Bolsheviks) and the “Whites” (Counter Revolutionary Forces). Nicholas II and family were killed. The “Reds” were more prepared and had more inspiring leaders. The “Whites” were scattered and poorly organized, therefore, the “Reds” won.

Bolshevik Take-Over The Bolsheviks became known as the communists. They ruled through the Cheka – secret police. 1919 forced-labor camps were set up known as “Gulag.” Policy known as “War Communism” emerged with communist party taking over banks, railroads, factories. By 1922 Communists were in complete control despite a new constitution.