America’s journey to war When the war began in 1914 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared the U.S.A. neutral (not taking sides) When the war began in 1914 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared the U.S.A. neutral (not taking sides) Most American’s did not want to enter into a conflict half way around the world Most American’s did not want to enter into a conflict half way around the world Americans came from many European countries Americans came from many European countries Wilson feared the country would become divided Wilson feared the country would become divided

British Blockade Britain established a naval blockade of German ports, stopping all ships carrying goods bound for Germany Britain established a naval blockade of German ports, stopping all ships carrying goods bound for Germany Germany responded by sinking all Allied merchant ships off the coast of Britain Germany responded by sinking all Allied merchant ships off the coast of Britain May 1915, a German submarine (U-boat) torpedoed the Lusitania (a British passenger ship) May 1915, a German submarine (U-boat) torpedoed the Lusitania (a British passenger ship) 1,198 killed, including 128 Americans 1,198 killed, including 128 Americans

British Blockade cont…… Still, President Wilson keeps the U.S. neutral Still, President Wilson keeps the U.S. neutral Wilson demands Germany stop all “unrestricted submarine warfare” Wilson demands Germany stop all “unrestricted submarine warfare” Wilson wins re-election for keeping American out of war Wilson wins re-election for keeping American out of war Although America remains “neutral” they do financially support the Allies in the war Although America remains “neutral” they do financially support the Allies in the war

American entry to WWI In early 1917, Germany sank 3 American ships (after Lusitania 1915) In early 1917, Germany sank 3 American ships (after Lusitania 1915) The last straw – ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM German Foreign Minister Zimmerman sends a telegram to a German ambassador in Mexico to convince Mexico to join Germany & win back territory taken by the U.S.A. (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) German Foreign Minister Zimmerman sends a telegram to a German ambassador in Mexico to convince Mexico to join Germany & win back territory taken by the U.S.A. (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona)

U.S. entry to WWI continued….. The telegram is intercepted by the British, and passed along to the U.S. who became furious with Germany The telegram is intercepted by the British, and passed along to the U.S. who became furious with Germany Wilson asks Congress to declare war in April 1917! Wilson asks Congress to declare war in April 1917! U.S. enters World War I U.S. enters World War I

American Homefront Selective Service Act (Draft)– May 1917 Congress required all men between to sign up for military. Selective Service Act (Draft)– May 1917 Congress required all men between to sign up for military. Almost 40,000 women also volunteer Almost 40,000 women also volunteer Women served as nurses in American Red Cross, clerks, interpreters, phone operators, entertainers & ambulance drivers Women served as nurses in American Red Cross, clerks, interpreters, phone operators, entertainers & ambulance drivers Government raises $$ for war by selling war bonds Government raises $$ for war by selling war bonds

Major Battles Verdun – French fortress Feb 1916 – Dec 1916 Feb 1916 – Dec 1916 German attack meant to devastate French German attack meant to devastate French Result: stalemate continues; Result: stalemate continues; 400,000 French casualties & approx. 400,000 German casualties 400,000 French casualties & approx. 400,000 German casualties

Somme June 1916 – Dec 1916 June 1916 – Dec 1916 British launch assault against Germans to lead Germans away from Verdun British launch assault against Germans to lead Germans away from Verdun Result: stalemate continues Result: stalemate continues Enormous casualties on both sides Enormous casualties on both sides

Battle of Ypres July 1917 – November 1917 (3 rd battle) July 1917 – November 1917 (3 rd battle) 3 major battles took place near Ypres, Belgium 3 major battles took place near Ypres, Belgium Result: Disastrous for British Result: Disastrous for British Front lines unchanged….stalemate continues Front lines unchanged….stalemate continues

Gallipoli Campaign Ottomans joined Central pwrs in 1914 Ottomans joined Central pwrs in 1914 Ottomans controlled Dardanelles – a sea passage connecting Black Sea & Mediterranean Sea Ottomans controlled Dardanelles – a sea passage connecting Black Sea & Mediterranean Sea Allies used passage to transport supplies to Russia Allies used passage to transport supplies to Russia Result: Allies lost 200,000 troops in an attempt to destroy forts & guns that lined this passage – Spring 1915 Result: Allies lost 200,000 troops in an attempt to destroy forts & guns that lined this passage – Spring 1915

Wilson 14 Points While fighting continued in 1918, Wilson drafted a plan for world peace While fighting continued in 1918, Wilson drafted a plan for world peace Reduction of weapons Reduction of weapons Right of ppl to choose own govt Right of ppl to choose own govt Proposal to form an organization of world nations to protect each other from aggression Proposal to form an organization of world nations to protect each other from aggression

Not all Allied countries agree with 14 pts. Not all Allied countries agree with 14 pts. France & Great Britain wanted Germany to be punished & France wanted Germany to pay for costs of war France & Great Britain wanted Germany to be punished & France wanted Germany to pay for costs of war Italy wanted to gain territory for themselves Italy wanted to gain territory for themselves

THE END 11:00am, November 11, 1918 ARMISTICE DAY 11:00am, November 11, 1918 ARMISTICE DAY ALL FIGHTING STOPS!! ALL FIGHTING STOPS!! Casualties: 8.5 Million soldiers died; 21 million injured Casualties: 8.5 Million soldiers died; 21 million injured 1919 – Treaty of Versailles signed to officially end War 1919 – Treaty of Versailles signed to officially end War

Treaty of Versailles June Treaty forces Germany to accept complete blame for the war. Treaty forces Germany to accept complete blame for the war. Germany lost all of its colonies Germany lost all of its colonies Germany’s military was limited to only 100,000 Germany’s military was limited to only 100,000 Germany also forced to pay $33 BILLION in reparations (money a country has to pay to help repair the damage caused during war) Germany also forced to pay $33 BILLION in reparations (money a country has to pay to help repair the damage caused during war)