1. The United States Declares War Ch. 12 sec. 2
*Fighting in Europe continues w/ no end in sight….
*Btwn U.S. does not want to join war….but….
events take place btwn. USA & Germany
*German’s Submarine Warfare!
--deadly & effective military strategy
--U-boats are new weapon in war
--excellent tool against Britain’s superior Navy
*used against the Brit’s blockade of Germany
--Americans learn to HATE U-boats in
U-boats sink the Lusitania = British passenger liner
--killed 1,200 passenger AND 128 Americans!!!! (Boooo Germany)

3. *Sussex---French passenger ship---sunk by U-boat—killed/injured 80 people (1916)
**Americans threatened to cut diplomatic ties to Germany
*Sussex Pledge---Germans promised not to sink any other boats w/out warning them first….
*1916 Election---Wilson wins, again…”He kept us out of war”

4.
Submarine warfare
U-boat footage

5. *Germany tests Wilson’s patience---
*Germany resumed unrestricted sub warfare
* Wilson breaks off ties w/ Germany
--U.S. merchant ships are now armed
*The Zimmerman Note----Arthur Zimmerman—Ger. Foreign Secretary
--He makes a secret offer w/ Mexico…..
*If Mexico would declare war on USA, Germany promised its lands in the southwest back!---Mexico did not take it seriously
--Ticked off Americans!

6. *German U-boats sink American ships!!!
--March 16-18, the USS City of Memphis, Illinois, Vigilancia are all sunk……..It’s on like…….
*March 20, Wilson’s cabinet unanimously votes for war
*April 6, Members of Congress & Supreme Court cheer for President’s call to war………
*United States Enters World War I
**Thousands of men drafted to fight
in Europe!!!
**African Americans allowed in the army,
but, ONLY used for MANUAL LABOR!