: The World at War : The World at War Part 2 of 2

America Joins the Allies

German Atrocities in Belgium

America Reacts, 1914

The Sinking of the Lusitania

 The German restriction order of 9 September 1915 stated that attacks were only allowed on ships that were definitely British, while neutral ships were to be treated under the Prize Law rules, and no attacks on passenger liners were to be permitted at all.Prize Law German Reaction to American Protests

 Following the sinking of an unarmed French boat, the Sussex, in the English Channel in March 1916, Wilson had threatened to sever diplomatic relations with Germany, unless the German Government refrained from attacking all passenger ships, and allowed the crews of enemy merchant vessels to escape from their ships prior to any attack.  On May 4, 1916, the German Government had accepted these terms and conditions in what came to be known as the "Sussex pledge." More Protests from America Sussex

 By January 1917, however, the situation in Germany had changed. During a wartime conference that month, representatives from the German navy convinced the military leadership and Kaiser Wilhelm II that a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare could help defeat Great Britain within five months. Growing Shortages Force German to Change Policy

 Accordingly, on January 31, 1917, the German Ambassador to the United States, Count Johann von Bernstorff, presented U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing with a note declaring Germany's intention to restart unrestricted submarine warfare the following day. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Returns

 On January 19, 1917, British naval intelligence had intercepted and decrypted a telegram sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to the German Ambassador in Mexico City. A Secret Telegram is Sent

The Zimmermann Telegram as it was forwarded from Washington to Mexico

A portion of the Telegram as decrypted by the British Naval Intelligence code breakers. Zimmerman Telegram

 The British had initially not shared the news of the Zimmerman Telegram with U.S. officials, because they did not want the Germans to discover that British code breakers had cracked the German code.  However, following Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in February, the British decided to use the note to help sway American official and public opinion to join the war. Britain Sends Secret Telegram to Wilson

Decoded Telegram

 The British finally forwarded the intercept to Wilson on February 24. The American press carried the story the following week.  However, by 1917, the continued submarine attacks on American merchant and passenger ships, and the "Zimmerman Telegram's" implied threat of a German attack on the United States, had served to sway American public opinion in support of a declaration of war. America Declares War on the German Empire War is Declared

The Zimmerman Telegram Sent to the German Ambassador in Mexico  Berlin, January 19, 1917  On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.  If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....  You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.  Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.  Zimmerman (Secretary of State)

Map showing Mexican territory in 1917 (dark green), with territoryMexican promised to Mexico in the Zimmermann telegram denoted in light green.

The Yanks Are Coming! The Yanks Are Coming!

Americans in the Trenches

The War of the Industrial Revolution: New Technology

French Renault Tank

U-Boats

Allied Ships Sunk by U-Boats

The Airplane “Squadron Over the Brenta” Max Edler von Poosch, 1917

“Paths of Glory” C. R. W. Nevinson, 1917

German Cartoon: “Fit for active service!”, 1918

Results of World War I

11 a.m., November 11, 1918 The Armistice is Signed!

Europe in 1918

Great Britain and France divide land taken from the Ottoman Empire (Spodek 662).

1918 Flu Pandemic: Depletes All Armies 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 died 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 died

10,000,000 Dead (Spodek 667) 10,000,000 Dead (Spodek 667)

The Somme American Cemetery in France 116,516 Americans Died

World War I Casualties

Turkish Genocide Against Armenians A Portent of Future Horrors to Come!

Turkish Genocide Against Armenians Districts & Vilayets of Western Armenia in Turkey Erzerum215,0001,500 Van197, Kharbert204,00035,000 Diarbekir124,0003,000 Bitlis220,00056,000 Sivas225,00016,800 Other Armenian-populated Sites in Turkey Western Anatolia371,80027,000 Cilicia and Northern Syria309,00070,000 European Turkey194,000163,000 Trapizond District73,39015,000 Total 2,133,190387,800

By: Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley H. S. Chappaqua, NY The End… of War? of War?