1. Outcome: Events Prior to U.S. Entry
World War I
Outcome: Events Prior to U.S. Entry

2. Events Prior to U.s. entry
U.S. Position: Neutrality
President Wilson encouraged neutrality in “thought & action”
Neutrality Problems
U.S. traded w/both sides, but ties w/Great Britain were strongest
Common language, customs, and government
By 1917, U.S. loans to the Allies reached $2.3 billion

3. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Great Britain spread anti-German propaganda to the U.S.
G. Britain blockaded Europe, stopping our trade w/Germany (famine)
Germany began submarine warfare (violated “freedom of seas”)
Attacked ships in Allied ports
Declared a “war zone” around the British Isles

4. German u-boat (Submarine)

5. Anti German Propaganda

6. The Lusitania

7. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915)
U.S.-German relations worsen
Germany questioned U.S. neutrality & the ship’s cargo
Ship was loaded with contraband purchased from the U.S.
Wilson demanded in a letter of protest that Germany end sub warfare, & apologize and pay reparations to the families

9. Events Prior to U.s. entry
March 1916: The French ship Sussex was sunk w/Americans on board. Germany agreed to the “Sussex Pledge,” a promise to warn ships before sinking them.

10. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Election of 1916
(D) Wilson: “Dove” and (R) Charles E. Hughes: “Hawk”
Both hand campaigned for peace & neutrality
TR may have hurt (R) chances for victory with pro-war speeches
Cliff-hanger: Wilson won by 20 electoral votes (CA decided the outcome)
Message: Did the citizens of the US want to go to war despite Wilson??

11. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Events to US Entry
By 1916, the War in Europe became stalemated on both fronts
Western Front = 500 miles of trenches extending from the English Channel to the Adriatic Sea (Defended by France and Great Britain)
Eastern Front = line defended by Russia
Little progress & high casualties led to frustration on both sides

15. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare to break the deadlock
Stopped issuing warnings; 3 U.S. ships were sunk in one day
The Kaiser felt confident the U.S. would not enter the war
U.S. responded by ending diplomatic relations w/Germany

16. Events Prior to U.s. entry
Zimmerman Note (“Last Straw”) published on March 1, 1917)
Letter from Germany to Mexico asking for an alliance against the U.S.
Intercepted and decoded by Great Britain
Pro-war fever intensified in the U.S.; TR 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

17. Events Prior to U.s. entry
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

18. Events Prior to U.s. entry
The War in Europe
The Allies were weakened in 1917
In March, 1917 a Russian peoples’ revolt overthrew Czar Nicholas II and a provisional government was set up
In November 1917, this weak gov’t 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)

19. Events Prior to U.s. entry
June, 1917: 1st 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