1. American Neutrality and U.S. Entry into World War I When should the U.S go to war?

2. Background  Soon after the war began in 1914, president Woodrow Wilson declared a policy of neutrality. The United States would not take sides in the conflict.  Recall: what were the M.A.I.N causes of WWI?

3. 1-minute Brainstorm: What nation is responsible for World War I?

4. Background Isolationism: The belief that America should stay out of the affairs of other countries. Interventionism: The belief that America should intervene (get involved) in other countries if it will benefit them, the U.S., or both. When war in Europe broke out, many Americans fell into one of two categories:

5. Document Analysis  Compare Woodrow Wilson’s statements in 1914 with those from 1917. For each quote: 1.Tell me what Wilson’s views were on entering WWI (isolationist or interventionist) 2.Explain what reasons he gave for each. 3.Then predict what might have happened in three years to make him change his mind (come up with at least two things)

6. Wilson’s Policy of Neutrality  Americans were deeply divided on the war in Europe Map of German Ancestry 1914 What information on this map would allow you to conclude that Americans were deeply divided on the War in Europe? A Challenge to Neutrality In 1914, 1/3 Americans were foreign born or children of foreign born parents. These Americans had strong emotional ties to their homelands and found it hard to remain neutral.

7. Analyzing the News from 1914-1917 Directions:  Each student will be given one newspaper article from the time period.  Read it and write down in your t-chart whether the news article supports American neutrality or American intervention. Also include the argument.  T-Chart Handout

8. Main Idea  Due to a series of events that took place from 1914-1917 the U.S was forced to abandon its neutrality.

9. Decision Making Activity Directions: Step 1: Read about each event with your group members Step 2: Decide on a course of action on your graphic organizer Step 3: With your group members, discuss your response and any unintended consequences. Working in small groups you will be learning about the various events that slowly pulled the United States into WWI.

10. The Economics of War Historical Reality / Results Wilson allows Americans to grant loans and sell goods directly Cutting trade would be catastrophic What conclusions can you draw from the data about American Neutrality? “The European War is one with which we have nothing to do, whose causes cannot hurt us.” But can make us rich! Event #1

11. Britain Stops U.S Ships heading to Germany Trench Warfare Britain set up a blockade (naval block/wall) against German ports (Stopped ships, or took their cargo, or paid for cargo – against international law.) British are trying to stop goods being resold from neutral countries to central powers. Event #2 Historical Reality / Results British are asked to stop – refuse and U.S. backs down Wilson wants to permit trade to neutral countries Trade cut to Germany would be small. To G.B. would be significant

12. Follow up: Should any country be allowed to trade with nations that are fighting in a war? Legal? Ethical? Will it help us?

13. U-Boat Attacks increase Tensions with Germany Germans use Unterseeboot!!!!! (U- Boat)Germans use Unterseeboot British fly neutral flags As a result of the British blockade, Germany uses submarine warfare against Allied and Neutral ships in the North Sea. How will this impact America? “Unrestricted Submarine Warfare” Event #3 Historical Reality / Results Wilson sends a note to Germany threatening “strict accountability” Germany reacts by searching cargo, allow people to get off, then sink ships

14. Follow-Up How is the war going militarily? How strong is the U.S. military - Allies are winning by a small margin (stalemate) - A-H out of the war essentially - Americans are hearing about the trenches - U.S. has a strong navy, but no army or way of recruiting

15. Preparedness 1915 – U.S. Army was ill prepared for war Army of 80,000 men Lacked equipment & resources Former President Theodore Roosevelt calls for America to prepare for war Wilson recognizes the threat of submarine warfare and the need to for preparedness

16. Sinking of the Lusitania President Wilson believed that Americans should have the right to travel on Allied passenger ships. American public was outraged. (compared to the U.S.S. Maine U.S. claims that if Germany continues, the U.S. will enter the war On May 7,1915, a German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. Even though the ship was carrying weapons, many denounced Germany’s actions as murder. Event #4 Historical Reality / Results

17. Timeline to this point 1914 – War breaks out U.S. trading with everyone (more with the Allied Powers) Stalemate in the trenches of Europe Early 1915 – British Blockade and German U- Boats May 1915 - Lusitania - 1,198 killed (128 Americans)

18. Lusitania-American perspective  The Century, America's Time: Shell Shock (1 of 3) – YouTube- Lusitania The Century, America's Time: Shell Shock (1 of 3) – YouTube

19. The Sussex Pledge German U-boats continued to attack British and French ships carrying American passengers. March 1916: German U-boat sinks French liner “Sussex” Wilson threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Germany. Sussex pledge- Germany agreed to spare all lives in attacks on merchant ships by stopping surprise attacks Germany temporarily keeps the United States from declaring war Event #5 Historical Reality / Results

20. The Sussex Pledge U.S. Congress agrees to begin building up the army and navy U.S. is still aiding in the war effort but not yet officially involved in the war

21. American Neutrality Interventionists Isolationists  Split ties due to immigration  Support Germany  German ancestry  Irish looking to gain independence from Britain  Support Britain  Common culture, language, and legal system  German attack on Belgium (the German bully propaganda)  Economic ties w/ British  Socialists criticize war  Conflict over markets and economic control  U.S. should be an example peace  William Jennings Bryan  Fear of families experiencing horrors of war

22. The Election of 1916 “He kept us out of war” The slogan that helped Wilson win the election of 1916

23. The Zimmerman Note Germans plan to continue the use of “unrestricted submarine warfare” German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman devises a bold plan. Uses a coded message to unveil plan If U.S. enters the war, Germany would help Mexico regain territory lost in 1848. Historical Reality / Results - Wilson asks for a declaration of war (April, 1917) - Peace negotiations in Europe have already started Event #6

24. Zimmerman Note Analysis In your own words, explain what the telegram said in the first two lines. If the U.S does not remain neutral, what did Germany propose to Mexico? Be Specific. Why did this document cause anti-German sentiment?

27. Declaration of War Wilson says “the world must be made safe for democracy” in his call for war to Congress Germans continue use of unrestricted submarine warfare On April 4, 1917, the Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war on Germany. The House followed on April 6 by a vote of 373 to 50. “It is a war against all nations…the challenge is to all mankind.” “It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into... the most terrible and disastrous of all wars,” he said. “Civilization itself seems to be hanging in the balance.”

28. Closure  Copy the following timeline on a piece of paper.  Beginning with 1914, write “Stay Neutral” or “Declare War” beneath each event to show how you believe the United States should have reacted to that event.  When and if you decide the United States should have declared war explain why you chose the place that you did.