1. Chapter 22 From Neutrality to War
Was it in the national interest of the United States to stay neutral or declare war in 1917?

2. Introduction European countries had strained relationships
Jun 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary.
Terrorist bombed their car
Franz and wife Sophie unharmed
Later on the route another terrorist shot & killed the couple

3. Archduke Ferdinand Began War?
Murders set off a chain reaction
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Terrorists were Serbian
Bosnia had been taken over by Austria-Hungary years earlier
Russia sided w/ Serbia & declared war on Austria- Hungary
Germany declared war on Russia & France
Britain came to France’s defense & declared war on Germany

4. United States Tries to Stay Neutral
Conflict seemed distant to Americans
Nationalism important in Europe
Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to nation or ethnic group.
Militarism
Policy of glorifying military power and values.
System of Alliances required member nations to come to one another’s aid in case of attack

5. Ideological Causes of War
Nationalism
Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to nation or ethnic group.
EXAMPLE: Germany grew rapidly and Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to be a world leader.
Militarism
Policy of glorifying military power and values.
EXAMPLE: When Germany modernized its army and navy, Britain felt it had to as well.

6. Central vs. Allied Powers
CENTRAL POWERS
Austria- Hungary
Germany
Ottoman Empire
ALLIED POWERS
France
Britain
Russia

8. Wilson Adopts Policy of Neutrality
U.S. would not takes sides in conflict
It would offer loans and sell weapons and supplies to both sides
What problems do you foresee w/ neutrality?

9. Neutrality Cont’d Many Americans happy w/ neutrality
Even George Washington had warned of the evils of “entangling alliances”
BUT…
In /3 of United States population were either foreign-born or the children of foreign-born
Many of these people had emotional ties to countries at war

10. War on Two Fronts in Europe
Eastern Front
Russia advanced into Germany & Austria-Hungary
Western Front
German troops marched into Belgium and France
By end of 1914, war on the western front had turned into a stalemate
Famous book All Quiet on the Western Front

12. Challenges to U.S. Policy of Neutrality
Britain blockaded ships headed to Germany
Turned back any ships w/ weapons, food & supplies (even those from U.S.)
Wilson complained but did not take action

13. U-Boat Attacks Increase Tension
In February 1915 Germany found a way to challenge British blockade via submarine attacks
Called U-boats for unterseeboot (“undersea boat”)
International law allowed warships that ability to stop and search merchant ships.
Could sink ship if passengers and crew were removed first
U-boats did not have the capacity to warn merchant ships w/o losing element of surprise

14. Wilson & “Strict Accountability
Protested sinking of merchant ships w/o protecting lives of passengers
Said that U.S. would hold Germany to “strict accountability” for any American casualties in such attacks.
Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915 w/o warning.
128 Americans killed

16. Sussex Pledge
After a couple of more smaller-scale merchant ship attacks, Germany promised to spare all lives in any future U-boat attacks AS LONG AS the U.S. forced Britain to end its illegal blockade
Wilson accepted pledge but not condition

17. Preparedness Movement
Teddy Roosevelt pointed out that U.S. was ill-prepared for war should it need to fight.
He did not approve of neutrality (although he didn’t advocate for one side initially)
Wilson heeded and began to advocate building up the navy

18. Propaganda
Propaganda: Info or rumor spread by a group or a gov’t to garner support for their side.
Both Allies & Central powers launched propaganda campaigns
Allies most successful
Alleged atrocities of German soldiers advertised

19. United States Declares a “War to End All Wars”
Zimmermann Note Stirs up Anti- German sentiment
German foreign minister to Mexico Arthur Zimmermann wrote that if the U.S. should join the war, Mexico and Germany should become allies and Germany would help Mexico regain “Lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.”

20. Czar Nicholas II in Russia
March 1917 Czar Nicholass II was killed
Democrats took over
At beginning of war, Wilson hadn’t wanted to side w/ a dictator.
Now Russia was a “fit” partner

21. THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING TO WAR.
U.S. Enters War
April 2, 1917
Wilson told Congress that neutrality was no longer feasible
On April 4, 1917:
Senate voted 82 to 6
House voted 373 to 50
THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING TO WAR.