The United States Sinks into World War I Chapter 18: Section 2

America Stays Neutral U.S. Foreign policy believed in Isolationism—staying out of the affairs of the European powers Most Americans wanted no part of the war in Europe Pres. Wilson gets re-elected on a “Dove” platform What is a “Dove”?

Why Didn’t the U.S. join Germany? German war atrocities in Belgium British fleet blockaded Germany American Businesses sold goods to Britain and France--$75 million/week to Britain Historical/Cultural ties to Britain

Unterseeboot Warfare Germans declare unrestricted submarine warfare around Britain Sussex Pledge—Germany will not sink merchant ships without warning and without saving lives

Lusitania Plunges U.S. into war Without warning, torpedoes sink the Lusitania Dives under the waves in only 18 minutes 1,200 people die, including 128 Americans

The Zimmerman Note decoded Zimmerman Note proposes Mexico joining Germany if U.S. declares war Mexico would get territory lost in past wars back Newspapers print telegram and raise pressure to declare war

America joins the fray U-boats sink 3 more U.S. merchant ships and the U.S. declares war United States prepares for war Selective Service Act (men 21-30) registered to be drafted Conscientious objector status mostly rejected, go to jail or go to the front U.S. woefully unprepared for war, not enough guns, horses, or barracks

African-Americans in the War Army was segregated Few black regiments were trained because fear of black uprising in the south Harlem “Hellfighters” regiment is one of most decorated in the war

Americans get to Europe Troop transports were herded across ocean by Destroyers and Cruisers in the “Convoy System” U.S. troops train for 12 months in France before joining the allies in the trenches Americans resisted troops being used as replacements and stayed under U.S. command

Parlez vous Francais? French speaking American women serve as switchboard operators “Hello Girls” 20,000 Nurses served overseas

The War to End All Wars is Over German economy is crippled by: Civilians lack food and supplies Rioting and mass desertions Labor strikes Austria-Hungary is in revolution