1. US Entry into World War I
The Beginning of World War I

2. The Stage is Set for War 8/14/1914: 8 European Nations at war
Central Powers:
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Allied Powers
Great Britain
France
Serbia
Belgium
Russia

3. The Great War Firsts “World War” “Total War” 30+ countries declare war
Many more indirectly (supplies, troops, etc)
“Total War”
All aspects of citizen life affected
Soldiers
Rations
Propaganda
Governments take over economy
“Modern War”
New Fighting Style
New Technology

4. The War Spreads Participant Countries in World War I
Japan
Support Allies
Want Germany’s Pacific Colonies
Italy
Broke Alliance
Joins Allies
Turkey (Ottoman Empire) / Bulgaria: Join Central Powers, Armenian Genocide
Fighting Spreads to Africa, Asia, Europe
Participant Countries in World War I
Allies Central Powers Neutral

5. Armenian Christians massacred by the Ottoman Turks (800,000 - 1
Armenian Christians massacred by the Ottoman Turks (800, million in total)

6. The War Begins August 1914: Millions to war
Soldiers will be “home by Christmas”
Ruins of Ypres

7. Propaganda
Propaganda

8. America at the Start of WWI
European Act
American Response
World War 1 Begins (1914)
Wilson keeps US neutral
European Propaganda attempts to change American opinion
Americans support Wilson
Britain refuses to allow American goods to Germany: seize goods to curtail American trade with Germany
Wilson protests act, but does nothing more.
Germans state they will attack all merchant ships with their U-Boats
Wilson says Germany will be held accountable
U-Notes
German U-Boat against traditional rules: stop, search, allow escape, sinking
U-Boats: Sink without warning
German Aggression reaches turning point in May, 1915

9. The Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 2nd, 1915, the British passenger liner Lusitania was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat (submarine). 1,195 passengers, including 128 Americans, lost their lives. Americans were outraged and put pressure on the government to enter the war. President Woodrow Wilson, however, stood firm and instead sent a letter of protest to Germany. Germany claimed the ship was carrying war supplies, but Britain denied this claim. German leaders told their captains to be more careful selecting ships, but the American public had turned against Germany.

12. The Zimmerman Telegram
Sent by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Arthur Zimmerman
Intercepted by British Intelligence
Informed US
Document sent to newspapers, made public
Americans upset
American Entrance to War
Multiple events (sinking ships)
Often seen as main cause/final straw

13. Neutrality Quotes Part A
“We have been deeply wronged upon the seas, but we have not wished to wrong or injure in return; we wish nothing that can be had only at the cost of another people. We stand firm in armed neutrality. We desire neither conquest nor advantage. To the people of the countries now at war, we want peace without victory.” – Woodrow Wilson
When would President Wilson likely have said this?
What is “armed neutrality?”
What is “peace without victory?”
What is Wilson saying?

14. Neutrality Quotes Part B
“It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” – George Washington
“Friendship and trade with all nations; Entangling alliances with none.” – Thomas Jefferson
What stands out to you about these two quotes?
Based solely on these quotes, what do you think Jefferson and Washington would have said to President Wilson after Wilson said his previous quote? What is “armed neutrality?”
How are these quotes different from how the US operates today?
How would the world be different if the US still adhered to these rules/principles of our forefathers?