WWI- American Helps the Allies Section 2 “America Tips the Power Balance”

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Reasons why the U.S. became involved… Britain makes a blockade of the North Sea American ships could not sell to Germany Famine in Germany Germany has a counter blockade with U-Boats Total submarine warfare- policy of sinking all ships Sinking of the Lusitania & several other U.S. ships Zimmerman Note Germany tells Mexico to attack the U.S. & they will support them in action against the U.S. to regain lost territory

Reasons why the U.S. became involved… Russian Revolution Russia replaces their monarchy with a communist government Russia with drawls from the war-- signs a peace treaty with Germany Now Germany can focus on only one front Signs a peace treaty with Germany Now it is a war of democracies against monarchies

Wilson’s Declaration of War Why does he ask congress for a declaration of war against Germany? Germany is sinking ALL ships-- waging war against all nations We need to defend our rights-- Democracy & Freedom

What was the U.S. up against? Trench warfare -- Europeans have been fighting for 3 years already and are weakening New war technology- cause high casualties and horrific injuries

New war technology Airplanes Tanks Machine Guns Poison Gas Chlorine fog

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Airplanes in WWI

Psychology of War What does war do to soldiers Physically and mentally? Shell Shock --Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome ture=related ture=related

How does the U.S. help the Allies win the war? Raising an Army Selective Service Act- the Draft Propaganda- fear, guilt, hatred Increasing naval strength U.S. Navy weakens German U-Boat campaign Convoy system-- U.S. gets 2 million troops to Europe with few casualties

Why did Wilson and John J. Pershing want the U.S. troops to be kept separate from the European troops? So they could be distinguished from the Europeans So the U.S. could have a significant part of the peace talks and treaty process at the end of the war.

How does the U.S. army help win the war? 1 Million U.S. arrive in Europe American soldiers boost moral Freshness and enthusiasm American Soldiers go on the offensive--ATTACK! Prove themselves in battle- Great victories Germans retreat by November 1918 Armistice- truce to end the war