The United States Enters WWI

Reasons for American Involvement The United States tried to remain neutral during the Great War, but as it went on, it became more difficult America entered the war due to three main reasons 1. The sinking of the Lusitania 2. The Zimmerman Note 3. Cultural ties to Europe

The sinking of the Lusitania One main reason for U.S. involvement was due to the naval war between Germany and Great Britain Britain set up a naval blockade against Germany - This kept materials and other goods from reaching Germany by sea In return Germany set up its own blockade against Britain - They enforced their blockade with unrestricted submarine warfare - Included the sinking of passenger liners

The sinking of the Lusitania On May 7, 1915 German forces sunk a British ship called the Lusitania - Casualties reached 1,100 civilians - Over 100 Americans were aboard the ship Outraged by the loss of American lives, the U.S. protested against German submarine warfare To avoid antagonizing the United States the Germans suspended unrestricted submarine warfare in September of 1915

Resuming unrestricted Submarine Warfare By 1916 the Germans and Great Britain had only engaged in one direct naval battle - Battle of Jutland, May 31, 1916 - Neither side won January of 1917 the Germans were eager to break the deadlock - Emperor William II was convinced by his naval officers to resume the use of unrestricted submarine warfare - Through this tactic they believed they could starve the British within six months

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare The emperor did express concern about the US - He was told not to worry, that the British would starve before America could act. The German tactics failed Great Britain did not surrender Return to unrestricted submarine warfare helped bring the United States into the war during April of 1917

The Zimmerman Note

The Zimmerman Note Another reason for US involvement during WWI was the Zimmerman Note In February of 1917 the British intercepted a telegram from German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmermann to he German ambassador to Mexico This telegram proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico incase of a war between the United States and Germany It stated if Mexico joined in on the side of the Central Powers then their lost territories of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas would be returned to them

The Zimmerman Note President Woodrow Wilson proposed that the US should start arming its ships against possible German attack and to make the telegram known to the public The intercepted telegram was published on the front pages of American newspapers

Cultural Ties to Europe Another reason for America entering into the war were its cultural ties to Britain and France America, Britain, and France were culturally similar America conducted the most trade with these two nations, and it significantly increased during the years of the war If France and Britain lost then American trade would suffer President Wilson actively campaigned for American support of the Allied forces