1. Events Prior to U.S. Arrival
World War I
Events Prior to U.S. Arrival

2. U.S. Position: Neutrality
President Wilson encouraged neutrality in “thought and action”.
Neutrality Problems:
The U.S. traded with BOTH sides, but ties with Great Britain were the strongest.
Common language, customs, and government.
By 1917, the U.S. had loaned the Allies $2.3 billion.

3. U.S. Position: Neutrality, contd.
Great Britain spread anti-German propaganda to the United States.
Great Britain blockaded Europe, stopping our trade with Germany (famine).
Germany began using submarine warfare.
This violated “Freedom of the Seas”.
They attacked ships in Allied ports.
They declared a “war zone” around the British Isles.

6. Sinking of the Lusitania
May 7, 1915
Relations between the U.S. and Germany worsen.
Germany questioned U.S. neutrality and the ship’s cargo.
The ship was loaded with contraband purchased from the U.S.
Wilson demanded in a letter of protest that Germany end submarine warfare and to apologize and pay reparations to the families.
What is contraband
Add picture of lusitania

8. Sinking of the Sussex March 1916
The French ship Sussex was sunk with Americans on board.
Germany agreed to the “Sussex Pledge”, a promise to warn ships before sinking them.

9. Election of 1916 Republican nominee: Charles E. Hughes, “Hawk”
Democrat nominee: Woodrow Wilson, “Dove”
They both campaigned for peace and neutrality.
Theodore Roosevelt may have hurt Hughes’ chances for victory with pro-war speeches.
Cliff hanger: Wilson won by 20 electoral votes
Did the citizens of the U.S. want to go to war despite Wilson?
Why were they called that
California decided the outcome
Did they want to go to war?

10. Events to U.S. Entry
By 1916, the War in Europe became stalemated on both fronts.
Western Front: 500 miles of trenches extended from the English Channel to the Adriatic Sea (Defended by France and Great Britain).
Eastern Front: Line defended by Russia.
Little progress and high casualties led to frustration on both sides.

12. Submarine Warfare
Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare to break the deadlock.
They stopped issuing warnings; 3 U.S. ships were sunk in one day.
The Kaiser felt confident the U.S. would not enter the war.
The U.S. responded by ending diplomatic relations with Germany.
Whats the Kaiser

13. The Zimmerman Note
This was considered the “Last Straw”, published on March 1, 1917.
It was a letter from Germany to Mexico asking for an alliance against the United States.
This was intercepted and decoded by Great Britain.
Pro-war fever intensified in the U.S.
Theodore Roosevelt demanded we enter in the name of self-defense. Soon after, 4 more unarmed U.S. ships were sunk.
March 1917, Russia surrendered to Germany.

14. Declaration of War
Wilson asked Congress for a Declaration of War on April 2, 1917.
Enemy: German government, NOT the German people.
Wilson: “America must go to war to make the world safe for democracy.”
Congress declared war on April 6, 1917.

15. The War in Europe The Allies were weakened in 1917.
In March 1917, a Russian revolt overthrew Czar Nicholas II and a provisional government was set up.
In November 1917, this weak government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks led by Nikolai Lenin, eventually resulting in a communist government.
In December 1917, Russia agreed to an armistice on the Eastern Front and withdrew, leaving Germany to fight a 1 front war (All German forces could now be sent to the Western Front in concentration)

16. June 1917 First U.S. troops arrive in Europe
A.E.F: American Expeditionary Forces were led by General John Pershing.
By 1918, 2 million U.S. “Doughboys” were in France.
Wilson began plans for permanent peace based on his 14 points.