Causes of U.S. Entry into World War I

US History: SpiconardiCauses of U.S. Entry into World War I

Quotes:Question:impartial in thought as well as action. ~Woodrow Wilson, 1914He kept us out of war. ~Wilson re-election campaign slogan, 1916The world must be made safe for democracy. ~Wilsons request for a declaration of war, April 2, 1917By the end of the period, you will be able to express your opinion:Did the U.S. policy contradict Wilsons earlier statements and therefore involve the U.S. in the war, ORDid circumstances beyond the United States control lead the nation to break its policy of neutrality?From the Mouth of President Woodrow WilsonNeutralityAt the start of the war, the official U.S. policy was neutralityNeutrality not favoring one side over the other in a dispute.However neutrality isnt quite so easy when the opposing sides are England and Germany

NeutralityOf which ethnicity can most Americans claim decent?What language do we speak? Who founded this country? Who was are biggest trade partner?

The Road to U.S. InvolvementExportsThe British blockaded the North Sea to prevent Germany from receiving goodsU.S. exports to Germany dropped from $345 million at the start of the war to $29 million by 1916.On the flipside, exports to nations of the Allies increased fourfoldLoansThe U.S. government loaned more than $2 billion to the Allies by 1917Is this neutrality?Most Americans didnt think so.

The Road to U.S. InvolvementPropagandaPropaganda the spreading of ideas or beliefs to help a particular cause and/or hurt an opposing causeThe Allies controlled the transatlantic cable, so they controlled the information leaving Europe and entering AmericaLets look at some examples

How would this British propaganda poster appeal to Americans?

How would this British propaganda poster appeal to Americans?

How would this British propaganda poster appeal to Americans?

How would this British propaganda poster appeal to Americans?The Road to U.S. InvolvementGerman Submarine Warfare (U-boats)Germans violated international law and sank all ships in the warzone.This is known as UNRESTRICTED submarine warfareGermans believed this was the only way they could end the British BlockadeWilson knew this would impede munitions shipments to England

The Road to U.S. InvolvementSinking of the LusitaniaIn 1915, a passenger liner left New York City carrying 1200 passengers, food and 4.2 million rounds of ammunition for Remington rifles.Who do you think the ammunition was for?Germany announced that any Allied ships in the warzone would be sunkA German submarine sinks the Lusitania, on which 128 Americans died

The Road to U.S. InvolvementMany Americans call for the ban of Americans sailing on Allied shipsWilson rejects this callHe believed Americans had the freedom to sail on whatever vessels they wanted and demanded Germans stop unrestricted submarine warfareGermany did not want to go to war with the U.S. and promised not to sink any more ships without warning, butThe Road to U.S. InvolvementTwo other ships carrying Americans were sunk

The Road to U.S. InvolvementThe Zimmerman TelegramBritish intelligence intercepted and decoded a message sent from Germany to their ambassador in MexicoThe telegram statedIf the Mexican government joined a military alliance against the U.S., the Germany would help Mexico recover the territories it lost in the Mexican-American War of 1848Wilson asks Congress to arm merchant ships to protect American lives and commerce.

The Road to U.S. InvolvementIn 1917, Germany sank 4 additional U.S. merchant ships, but that wasnt the biggest surprise of 1917

The Road to U.S. InvolvementThe Russian RevolutionIn March of 1917, the Czar of Russia was overthrown and a new democratic government More Americans could support entering a war on the side of a country that no longer had a tyrant as its leaderOne year later, under communist leadership, Russia would surrender to Germany and drop out of the war

Declaration of WarOn April 2, 1917, President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of WarThe world must be made safe for democracy.

Do you think this is the real reason Wilson wanted American to enter the war?

Quotes:Question:impartial in thought as well as action. ~Woodrow Wilson, 1914He kept us out of war. ~Wilson re-election campaign slogan, 1916The world must be made safe for democracy. ~Wilsons request for a declaration of war, April 2, 1917By the end of the period, you will be able to express your opinion:Did the U.S. policy contradict Wilsons earlier statements and therefore involve the U.S. in the war, ORDid circumstances beyond the United States control lead the nation to break its policy of neutrality?From the Mouth of President Woodrow Wilson