1. World War I “The Great War” --the war to end all wars--
America enters the War
Level 2

2. Essential Questions:
Why did America believe in isolationism
How did the sinking of the Lusitania impact American involvement in WWI?
How did the Russian Revolution of 1917 impact American involvement in WWI?

4. The Lusitania A British luxury ocean liner
She was torpedoed by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915
The ship sank in 18 minutes killing 1,198 of the people aboard, 128 were Americans
The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany
Germans said the Lusitania was carrying ammunitions
Was a major factor in the decision of the U.S. to enter the war in 1917

5. Zimmerman Note
Telegram from German foreign minister to German ambassador in Mexico
Decoded by British cryptographers
Instructed German Ambassador to propose an alliance
Germany would help Mexico regain territories lost in Mexican-American War
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
Reauthorized start of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany
Telegram caused American outrage
Lead to declaration of war against Germany

6. Russian Revolution
Events in Russia removed the last significant obstacle to direct U.S. involvement in WWI
In March 1917 the oppressive Russian Monarchy was replaced with a representative government
Supporters of American entry into WWI could now claim that this was a war of democracies against brutal monarchies
On April 6, 1917 the U.S. entered the First World War