US Response to and Entry into WWI

Initial Response Tradition of isolation Tradition of isolation Protect Trade Protect Trade European Roots European Roots 1916 Reelection Campaign Slogan 1916 Reelection Campaign Slogan – “He Kept Us Out of War”

The Mexico Issue US good trade partners with Mexico US good trade partners with Mexico Mexican Revolution, Gov’t overthrown Mexican Revolution, Gov’t overthrown “Watchful waiting” “Watchful waiting” US Marines arrested... We take Veracruz US Marines arrested... We take Veracruz One rebel, Pancho Villa, raids US... One rebel, Pancho Villa, raids US... We lead Punitive Expedition We lead Punitive Expedition Final outcome... Mexico looks Final outcome... Mexico looks across the Atlantic for allies across the Atlantic for allies

Slow War in Europe Two Fronts Two Fronts –(West: G vs F and East: G vs R) Stalemate b/c Trench Warfare Stalemate b/c Trench Warfare US is concerned US is concerned Kaiser Wilhelm II

What would you do? NOTICE! TRAVELLERS intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travelers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk. IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY, Washington, D.C. April 22, 1915

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare German U-boats vs ANY military or civilian (merchant) ship German U-boats vs ANY military or civilian (merchant) ship Breaks international law Breaks international law HMS Lusitania sunk: 128 Americans killed HMS Lusitania sunk: 128 Americans killed “America was too proud to fight” “America was too proud to fight” US is concerned US is concerned U-boat HMS Lusitania

Sussex Pledge Germany Germany –Still went after passenger ships w/o warning US threaten to cut off relations w. Germ. US threaten to cut off relations w. Germ. Sussex Pledge Sussex Pledge –U Boats warn ships before attacking US gives the Allies a huge loan US gives the Allies a huge loan –What does this mean?

Tensions with Russia Desire to overthrow Tsar Nicholas II Desire to overthrow Tsar Nicholas II Czar is overthrown by Bolsheviks (Commies) Czar is overthrown by Bolsheviks (Commies) Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin Russia makes peace with Central Powers Russia makes peace with Central Powers US is concerned US is concerned Lenin Tsar Nicholas

Revolution Why would the US worry now? Why would the US worry now? Russia 1917 Russia 1917 –GETTING CRUSHED!!!!!!! –1.8 Million dead, 2.4 Mil. POWs, 2.8 mil sick or wounded –No food or supplies –March 1917 Tsar is out April 6, 1917 April 6, 1917 –US declares war

Preparation and Peace GB urged US to prepare GB urged US to prepare –To help aid: supplies or troops 1914: Patriotic Education 1914: Patriotic Education 1915: Gov’t setup camps to train 1915: Gov’t setup camps to train 1916: Congress ok’d an increase in armed forces 1916: Congress ok’d an increase in armed forces Peace Peace –Progressives, women, Congress

Election of 1916 “He kept us out of war” “He kept us out of war” Wilson won a close race Wilson won a close race Germany tested Wilson Germany tested Wilson –Broke Sussex Pledge

Zimmerman Telegram To: Mex Gov’t To: Mex Gov’t From: German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman From: German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman Date: Feb 1917 Date: Feb 1917 Reference: Mexico helping the Central Powers in return for lost lands Reference: Mexico helping the Central Powers in return for lost lands US is VERY concerned US is VERY concerned

Moral Diplomacy (WWI) 1917 to today (WWI) 1917 to today US has a responsibility to “make the world safe for democracy” US has a responsibility to “make the world safe for democracy”

War Declared “The world must be made safe for democracy. “The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.” April 6, 1917