United States Reluctantly Joins WWI

Wilson Vows to Keep US Out of War n President Woodrow Wilson is elected in 1912 and runs for reelection in 1916 with the campaign slogan, “He kept us out of the war.” n US has 92 million people, many immigrants from both sides of war n Most people in US support Allies but prefer to stay out of war

Submarine Warfare n Germany warns that it will sink any vessels entering or leaving an Allied port in February, 1915 n This violates US rights as neutrals n Lusitania - This British merchant ship was sunk in May, killed, including 128 Americans n Wilson and many US citizens are furious n Germany pledges not to do this again

Sinking of the Sussex n Germany sinks the French ship, Sussex, in February, 1916 n 25 Americans are hurt n Wilson gives a speech to Congress about how angry he is about Germany’s violation of US neutrality n Sussex Pledge - Germany apologizes and promises to warn neutral ships and passenger vessels before sinking them

Zimmerman Telegram (Note) n Germany Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman sends a message to Mexico asking them to declare war on US, hoping to keep us distracted from Europe n US intercepts the message and it is printed in papers n US citizens irate - GRRRRR!

US Enters the War n Sinking of Lusitania, Sussex, and the Zimmerman Note lead US to feel Allies need help n US declares war on Germany on April 6, 1917 n Wilson places Gen. John Pershing in charge of US troops n Selective Service Act - 21 to 30 year old men must register for draft (3 million men drafted, 2 million volunteer for war)

Americans Prepare for World War I Keys To Success

Six Major Issues as US Prepares to Enter War n People not in support of war effort n Labor shortage n Lack of funds for war effort n Lack of food for Allied soldiers n Lack of supplies for the militaries n Desperate need of fuel for vehicles and heat

People Not in Support of War n Committee on Public Education - put in charge of creating support for war n Propaganda - Used posters, articles, books, artwork, and speakers to get word out

Labor Shortage n Great Migration ( ) - 300,000 to 500,000 Blacks move from rural south to northern cities to find jobs n Women in Labor Force - Millions of women go to work to produce war supplies

Lack of $Funds$ for War n War Bonds - US citizens by bonds; like temporary loans to the government n Money from bonds used to buy war goods

Lack of Food n Rationing - Citizens asked to voluntarily cut down on food consumption n “Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays” n Citizens asked to grow “Victory Gardens” to cut down on need for food

Lack of Supplies n War Industries Board - Government office in charge of war production n Ordered companies to stop making whatever they normally do and make war goods instead

Desperate Need for Fuel n Fuel Administration - asked people to cut back on fuel usage - “Heatless Mondays” n Created “Daylight Savings Time” to cut back on electricity needs