1. AMERICAN NEUTRALITY AND ROAD TO WAR Ms. Jerome

2. The War to End all Wars “The Great War”

3. “I didn’t raise my boy to be a solider” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eIc76DCD9M

4. Mediator of Peace Wilson wins reelection in 1916 Feared a war would interrupt international trade Feared the U.S. would be dragged into the European conflict Calls for American neutrality 1914-1917 U.S. doesn’t enter the war until August, 1917

5. “He Kept Us Out of War”—1916 Election

6. From Neutral…To War Torn “The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls.”—Woodrow Wilson, August 1914 “Declaration of Neutrality “Peace without victory” Woodrow Wilson to U.S. Senate January 1917 The world must be made safe for democracy.... It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts."-- Declaration of war against Germany, Apr. 2, 1917

7. REASONS FOR U.S. INTERVENTION I. British blockade and German unrestricted warfare II. Sinking of Lusitania III. Zimmerman Telegram IV. Russian Revolution

8. British Blockade of Germany 1914-1919—British blockade immediately after war declaration. Purpose—to restrict raw materials from reaching Central Pwrs Caused mass starvation – ¾ million deaths “Contraband of War” – Food America doesn’t fight the blockade

9. Germany response: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Counter-blockade All cargo headed to Great Britain would be considered contraband! No crew warnings would be issued

10. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Damage 75,000 people lost their lives 1/10 of the number that died from British blockade What is the difference between these types of warfare? One is way more visible— Damage is within Germany—not as visible

11. Villain Germans Rapidly turns on Germany Why do you think Americans were initially reluctant to be Anti- German? Disaster was ready to strike…

12. Sinking of the Lusitania http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=AYKdXABW aFg http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=AYKdXABW aFg May 7, 1915 British ocean liner Sunk by German U Boat 1,198 People died 128 were Americans German defense— Lusitania was carrying contraband

13. How do you think this event changed Americans’ attitude about joining the war?

14. Zimmerman Telegram—March 1,1917

16. Russian Revolution Russia withdraws from the war. Why would Russia withdrawing from war impact the U.S? Treaty of Brest Litovsk Marks Russia’s withdrawal from WWI. Russian economy was collapsing under war effort Signed between Russia and Central Powers

17. Declaration of War April 2, 1917 http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=B6hRDS3LvQQ http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=B6hRDS3LvQQ “Over There”