Warm Up – November 6 Grab the guided notes and answer the following questions on a post it: What were the four causes of World War I? What two fronts was World War I fought on? Where were the two fronts? What kind of combat was used during World War I? Describe the new weapons that were used during World War I

Unit 7: The United States in WW1

EUROPE 1914 What are advantages and disadvantages of belonging to an alliance system?

American Sentiments Toward WWI Wilson desired US neutrality – over 3,000 miles away Immigrants generally supported their homelands’ respective alliances (German-Americans support Germany, etc) Some Americans wanted isolation Some Americans supported the Allies GB ‘s common culture/ancestry Germany’s brutal destruction of Belgium More economic ties to Allies compared to Central Powers US Exports to Europe (by the $millions)

US Involvement Looms By 1915, US favored an Allied win to ensure that the Allies repaid war debts to US BUT still didn’t want to get involved. British naval blockade of Germany – 2 results US ships carrying goods for Germany did not challenge the British blockade  US goods rarely made it to German destinations, originally angered US (can’t make $) Many Germans died of starvation

2 Events that Led to US Entrance into WWI Germany sinks Lusitania Germany fought GB blockade with U-boats (submarines) – any ship in water around GB would be sunk May 7, 1915 – German U-boat sunk GB’s passenger ship Lusitania with 128 Americans on board Germany claimed boat carried ammunition  US outraged with Germany and Central Powers Wilson – no military action, but threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Germany if they didn’t stop using “unrestricted submarine warfare” Germany – agreed only if the US could persuade BG to lift blockade, if not warfare would continue

2 Events that Led to US Entrance into WWI The Zimmermann Note Wilson reelected in 1916 – still advocated for US neutrality and peace between nations at war. Zimmermann Note - Jan. 1917, telegram from the German foreign minister to a German ambassador in Mexico, intercepted by British Proposed a German-Mexican alliance Should the US enter the war, Germany would support Mexico in regaining land in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Proved Germany was hostile towards the US…

US Enters WWI April 2, 1917 – Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, Congress agreed “Property cannot be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind… We are glad… to fight… for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its people… The world must be made safe for democracy… We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no domination. We week no indemnities… It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war… But the right is more precious than its people.” -Woodrow Wilson, 1917

War Comes to a Close 1917 - Russia exits war Russian Revolution – communist Lenin comes to power Germany and Central Powers wearing thin Nov. 3, 1918 – Austria-Hungary surrendered to Allies Nov. 9, 1918 – socialist leaders in Germany rebel against kaiser and set up German republic Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 am (11/11 at 11) – Germany agrees to an armistice (agreement to end fighting) US and Allies relieved bloodiest war by 1918 Over 110,000 American lives lost, 20,000 Americans wounded

Armistice (Veterans) Day Nov. 11, 1919 – Wilson declares “Armistice Day” “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.“ – Wilson, 1919 Changed by Congress to “Veterans Day” in 1954