U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL WWI BEGINS… U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL

Hope to remain neutral? Divided Loyalty – The war is a capitalist ($$) struggle BUT we feel very close to Britain Pacifists – War is evil and the U.S. should set an example of peace War Was Far Away - It did not threaten U.S. territory, property or lives

Where was the U.S. Sympathy Allied Powers – Common language** Ancestry** Literature Legal system and democratic tradition Economic trading partners** France’s help in Revolution

Great Britain’s naval Blockade Why – Prevent weapons and other military supplies from getting through (including food) Result – American ships refused to challenge blockade Germany found it difficult to import foodstuffs 750,000 people starved by 1917

Germany’s Response Unleashed policy of unrestrictive warfare Use of German U-Boats Outrage to the U.S. : May 7th, 1915 – Lusitania sunk (128 Am.)*** July 1915 – Arabic sunk (British Ship) March 1916 – Sussex sunk (French Ship)

Reasons U.S needs to enter the war… Loan Repayment – U.S. had loaned the Allies $ and needed to know they could pay back their debts (can’t do this if they lose). German U-Boat Attacks – The British blockade of German ports forces Germany to take a much more aggressive naval strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Secure Peace and Spread Democracy – Wilson’s New Freedom encourages the U.S. to make the world “safe for democracy” Zimmerman Note – Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico and promised to return all lands seized by the U.S.

WAR Woodrow Wilson encourages Congress to declare war on Germany, by describing it as the “War to End All Wars”

Congress declares war!!!! April 6th, 1917