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U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL

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Presentation on theme: "U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL"— Presentation transcript:

1 U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL
WWI BEGINS… U.S. STRUGGLES TO STAY NUETRAL

2 Hope to remain neutral? Divided Loyalty – The war is a capitalist ($$) struggle BUT we feel very close to Britain Pacifists – War is evil and the U.S. should set an example of peace War Was Far Away - It did not threaten U.S. territory, property or lives

3 Where was the U.S. Sympathy
Allied Powers – Common language** Ancestry** Literature Legal system and democratic tradition Economic trading partners** France’s help in Revolution

4 Great Britain’s naval Blockade
Why – Prevent weapons and other military supplies from getting through (including food) Result – American ships refused to challenge blockade Germany found it difficult to import foodstuffs 750,000 people starved by 1917

5 Germany’s Response Unleashed policy of unrestrictive warfare
Use of German U-Boats Outrage to the U.S. : May 7th, 1915 – Lusitania sunk (128 Am.)*** July 1915 – Arabic sunk (British Ship) March 1916 – Sussex sunk (French Ship)

6 Reasons U.S needs to enter the war…
Loan Repayment – U.S. had loaned the Allies $ and needed to know they could pay back their debts (can’t do this if they lose). German U-Boat Attacks – The British blockade of German ports forces Germany to take a much more aggressive naval strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Secure Peace and Spread Democracy – Wilson’s New Freedom encourages the U.S. to make the world “safe for democracy” Zimmerman Note – Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico and promised to return all lands seized by the U.S.

7 WAR Woodrow Wilson encourages Congress to declare war on Germany, by describing it as the “War to End All Wars”

8 Congress declares war!!!! April 6th, 1917


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