February 26, 2018 U.S. History Agenda: DO NOW: Europe During the War NOTES #40: Why did the U.S. enter World War I? CLASS ASSIGNMENT: “Wartime Constitutional Issues” NOTES-CHECK #s 36–40 TODAY

Why did the U.S. enter World War I? Notes #40

World War I (WWI) was a military conflict from 1914 to 1918 that involved some of the most powerful nations in the world.

The main causes of WWI were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism in Europe.

The immediate cause of WWI was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (of Austria) in 1914. Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip

Following this assassination, two sides formed in Europe (the Allies and the Central Powers) and WWI began.

President Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921) At the beginning of WWI, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the U.S. would be neutral. President Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)

U-boat (German submarine) Despite the neutrality of the U.S., submarines from Germany attacked and sank U.S. merchant ships. U-boat (German submarine)

As a result, a major reason the U. S As a result, a major reason the U.S. entered WWI was to maintain freedom of the seas for U.S. ships.

In 1917, Wilson persuaded Congress to enter the U. S In 1917, Wilson persuaded Congress to enter the U.S. into WWI (and join the Allies) by arguing that the U.S. would make the world safe for democracy. President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany (April 2, 1917)  War declared on Germany by Congress; the U.S. enters World War I (April 4, 1917)