America Enters World War I

The First World War: When? What? War involving nearly all the nations of the world When? 1914-1918

The First World War: Why? Long term - 1. Alliance system 2. Imperialist Competition 3. Stockpiling of Weapons Why? Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914

Prior to 1917, what nations were involved in World War I? The First World War: Who? Central Powers: Allies: Russia France Great Britain Italy Japan United States (1917) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Prior to 1917, what nations were involved in World War I?

The First World War: Where?

America’s Policy in the Beginning of WWI America was isolationist “Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems”

Should the United States enter World War I? U.S. President Wilson

U.S. was under attack The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against all mankind.... Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.. Armed neutrality, it now appears, is impracticable. -U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's War Message (April 1917) It would be the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare that would ultimately bring the United States into the war. -The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Democracy Our object...is to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power.... We are glad...to fight...for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included: for the right of nations great and small and the privilege of men everywhere to choose their way of life and of obedience. The world must be made safe for democracy.... -President Woodrow Wilson's War Message (April 1917)

Economics Beginning in 1916, the Morgan negotiated a series of extremely large loans to France and to England, becoming their exclusive purchasing agent and financier in the United States. -Notable American Volunteers of the Great War, Great War Primary Documents Archive By 1917, American loans to the Allies had soared to $2.25 billion; loans to Germany stood at a paltry $27 million. -The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Propaganda A large number of the great newspapers and news agencies of the country have been controlled and enlisted in the greatest propaganda that the world has ever known to manufacture sentiment in favor of war. -Senator George W. Norris in Opposition to President Woodrow Wilson's War Message (April 4, 1917)

Propaganda

Militarism That which has driven the masses of Europe into the trenches and to the battlefields is not their inner longing for war; it must be traced to the cutthroat competition for military equipment, for more efficient armies, for larger warships, for more powerful cannon. You cannot build up a standing army and then throw it back into a box like tin soldiers. -Emma Goldman, from "Preparedness: The Road to Universal Slaughter"

Events that lead to American’s entrance into WWI 1. Blockades Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America Germany announced a submarine war around Britain Y-53 German Submarine 1916

In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships They could/would sink them

Lusitania British Passenger Ship with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans) Lusitania torpedoed by a German U-Boat, sinking all passengers and crew Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition German Propaganda Justifying Lusitania sinking

Lusitania The US sharply criticized Germany for their action Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future Note in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

Submarine Warfare 1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone

Zimmerman Telegram Britain intercepted a telegram from Germany to Mexico Mexico was asked to enter the war and become allies with Germany, and in return was promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

U.S. Enters World War I On April 6, the US declared war on Germany. Check out this video: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30141-assignment-discovery-america-enters-world-war-i-video.htm

How was the war looking for the allies? Not Good... Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917 Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France

What did the US do to help? Supplies: US provided the food, money, and fresh troops needed to win the war American Troops March Through London