1. Warm Up – November 6
Grab the guided notes and answer the following questions on a post it:
What were the four causes of World War I?
What two fronts was World War I fought on? Where were the two fronts? What kind of combat was used during World War I?
Describe the new weapons that were used during World War I

2. Unit 7: The United States in WW1

3. EUROPE 1914
What are advantages and disadvantages of belonging to an alliance system?

4. American Sentiments Toward WWI
Wilson desired US neutrality – over 3,000 miles away
Immigrants generally supported their homelands’ respective alliances (German-Americans support Germany, etc)
Some Americans wanted isolation
Some Americans supported the Allies
GB ‘s common culture/ancestry
Germany’s brutal destruction of Belgium
More economic ties to Allies compared to Central Powers
US Exports to Europe
(by the $millions)

5. US Involvement Looms
By 1915, US favored an Allied win to ensure that the Allies repaid war debts to US BUT still didn’t want to get involved.
British naval blockade of Germany – 2 results
US ships carrying goods for Germany did not challenge the British blockade  US goods rarely made it to German destinations, originally angered US (can’t make $)
Many Germans died of starvation

6. 2 Events that Led to US Entrance into WWI
Germany sinks Lusitania
Germany fought GB blockade with U-boats (submarines) – any ship in water around GB would be sunk
May 7, 1915 – German U-boat sunk GB’s passenger ship Lusitania with 128 Americans on board
Germany claimed boat carried ammunition  US outraged with Germany and Central Powers
Wilson – no military action, but threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Germany if they didn’t stop using “unrestricted submarine warfare”
Germany – agreed only if the US could persuade BG to lift blockade, if not warfare would continue

7. 2 Events that Led to US Entrance into WWI
The Zimmermann Note
Wilson reelected in 1916 – still advocated for US neutrality and peace between nations at war.
Zimmermann Note - Jan. 1917, telegram from the German foreign minister to a German ambassador in Mexico, intercepted by British
Proposed a German-Mexican alliance
Should the US enter the war, Germany would support Mexico in regaining land in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Proved Germany was hostile towards the US…

8. US Enters WWI
April 2, 1917 – Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, Congress agreed
“Property cannot be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind… We are glad… to fight… for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its people… The world must be made safe for democracy… We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no domination. We week no indemnities… It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war… But the right is more precious than its people.”
-Woodrow Wilson, 1917

9. War Comes to a Close 1917 - Russia exits war
Russian Revolution – communist Lenin comes to power
Germany and Central Powers wearing thin
Nov. 3, 1918 – Austria-Hungary surrendered to Allies
Nov. 9, 1918 – socialist leaders in Germany rebel against kaiser and set up German republic
Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 am (11/11 at 11) – Germany agrees to an armistice (agreement to end fighting)
US and Allies relieved
bloodiest war by 1918
Over 110,000 American lives lost, 20,000 Americans wounded

10. Armistice (Veterans) Day
Nov. 11, 1919 – Wilson declares “Armistice Day”
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.“ – Wilson, 1919
Changed by Congress to “Veterans Day” in 1954