1. Arguments For and Against Neutrality

2. Targets
1. Evaluate both sides of the argument concerning American involvement in WWI
2. Generate and justify an opinion regarding American involvement in WWI

3. Arguments for Neutrality
Did not threaten American lives or property
Many sympathized with Germany
Irish immigrants were anti-English

4. Pacifism
Pacifists saw all war as Evil

5. Parents
Didn’t want their sons going off to war.

6. Arguments for War
Sympathy for England
Allies owe he U.S. money

7. German Atrocities
Louvain

8. Louvain…after

9. German U-Boats
Unterseeboot (submarine)

10. U-Boot Response
Sinking of the Lusitania
1,198 killed
128 Americans

11. Wilson’s Response Wilson remained neutral Protested to Germany
They agreed not to sink any more liners
Sinking of the Arabic
2 Americans dead
Damage of the Sussex
Americans killed
Again Germany was warned
Germany again agreed to stop

12. Germany’s Response January 31, 1916 Kaiser Wilhelm
All ships in British waters would be sunk
Unrestricted Submarine warfare
War was inevitable
Wilson would wait “actual overt acts”

13. Zimmermann Note

14. U.S. Enters WWI
Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot. 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 peoples...The world must be made safe for democracy…We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no domination….It is a fearful think to lead this great peaceful people into war…But the right is more precious than peace

15. U.S. Unprepared