1. The United States Entry into World War I

2. At the start of the war... US President Woodrow Wilson declared a US policy of absolute neutrality.

3. Why did President Wilson’s decision to stay out of World War I in 1914 please many Americans?

4. Why Neutrality? Think past units of study! 1/3 of the US population were either first or second generation immigrants from England, France, Germany, etc. American tradition (up to that point) of staying out of foreign wars – “it’s over there….”

5. 2. What was the status of combat in Europe by the end of 1914? Stalemate!

6. …maybe we should go to war… England and France have similar governments to the US Germany and AH are ruled by monarchies

7. …and we had Pre-War Economic Ties… 75% of all pre-war trade done with Allied Powers Allied blockade = easier trade with Allied countries, especially France and Great Britain.

8. lots …plus they owe us lots of money… US trade and loan totals: Allied powers = $2.3 billion (plus)US trade and loan totals: Allied powers = $2.3 billion (plus) Central powers = $275 millionCentral powers = $275 million The allied blockade meant easier trade with allied coastal countries

9. Submarine Warfare British blockades of Germany strangled the country of necessary provisions and war-related items Germany resorted to submarines to get around the blockades and to sink ships from any country supplying their enemy

11. Submarine Warfare May 7, 1915 –German u-boats sink a British passenger liner named the Lusitania –loaded with over 4,000 cases of small arms destined for England –Unfortunately, 128 Americans had been on board and went down with the ship

12. 1915 - Lusitania

13. public opinion was that the Germans were murderers and barbarians President Wilson and the American public hadn’t been told that the Lusitania had been used by the British to ship weapons

14. Sussex Pledge – Germany agreed to announce themselves to ships of questionable nature before firing upon them

15. …but the Germans are starving! Germany schemes to break the stalemate by restarting unrestricted submarine warfare

16. Uh Oh... Something Else! Zimmerman NoteRelease of the Zimmerman Note...

17. In exchange for invading the United States, Germany promises Mexico help in regaining Texas, Arizona and New Mexico!In exchange for invading the United States, Germany promises Mexico help in regaining Texas, Arizona and New Mexico!

18. Outrage! …but German scheming outrages Americans! Germany hoped to keep the U.S. out of war…

20. Another obstacle removed… Russia had suffered more than 4 million casualties Russian citizens are starving and the government and military are in chaos In 1917 Czar Nicholas II abdicates! Now all the allies have similar governments! For Now…

21. The Final Decision Between March 16 and March 18, three American ships bound for the Allies were sunk by German U- Boats.

22. On April 6, 1917, President Wilson signed a war resolution to join the Allies.