1. U.S. Declares War

2. Early Years Americans want a strict policy of isolationism
THIS IS A EUROPEAN WAR
Many Americans weren’t even sure with whom to fight
Senator from Wisconsin wanted a declaration of war against allies

3. Then Things Get Messy….

4. German Submarine Warfare
U-Boat – Unterseeboot
At first, Germans displayed proper Naval etiquette: U-Boat surfaces, warns vessel, allows sailors off, and then fires
By 1915, Germans practicing unconditional submarine warfare
Britain arms its merchant ships

5. Reasons for Sub Warfare
Subs used to disrupt British shipping
End a British blockade of Germany
Total naval stalemate in Atlantic
Navies of Britain and Germany equally matched
Battle of the Jutland

6. U.S. turns against Germany
Unconditional warfare deemed “barbaric”
Britain cuts transatlantic cable connecting end communication between Germany and U.S.
Now all news of war that reaches U.S. flowed from London: Pro-Allies
The Lusitania
German u-boats sink English liner, killing 1,200 passengers – 128 Americans
Germans warned Americans to stay off English ships
Lusitania carried small-arms and ammunition for British
The Sussex Pledge
French steamship sunk: 2 Americans killed
Almost immediately violated

8. The Zimmerman Note Berlin, January 19, 1917
Intercepted by British
Promised Mexico Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico for starting with the U.S.
Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
Zimmerman (Secretary of State)

9. Russia out….US in
Russia will lose several early battles badly against the Germans
Paul Von Hindenburg and Eric Ludendorf
Both will forge an unlikely friendship
Hindenburg an old aristocrat and Ludendorf a non-noble who rose through the ranks
These defeats convince many Russians they can’t win

13. Russia out….US in V.I. Lenin living in exile in Switzerland
Promises a Russian surrender if Germans get him back to Russia
Ludendorf and Hindenburg oblige and Nov Bolshevik Revolution
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
March 1917, Russian Revolution
Czar Nicholas II removed
Rasputin
U.S. did not want to ally with an autocrat (monarch w/ absolute control)

14. U.S. declares War March 1917, Russian Revolution
Czar Nicholas II removed
Rasputin
U.S. did not want to ally with an autocrat (monarch w/ absolute control)
German subs sink American vessels: Illinois, Memphis, and Vigilanicia
April 2, Wilson declares war
The world must be safe for democracy