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Title: U.S. Involvement in WWI

Warmup: Read Wilson’s Neutrality Proclamation and answer the following questions: 1. According to Wilson, how will people who love America react to the war in Europe?

2. Why does the variety of the national origins of Americans present a challenge to neutrality?

3. Why would differing views toward the war be dangerous for America?

Reasons for U.S. Involvement•May 7, 1915 – German U-Boat sunk the British passenger ship The Lusitania. 1,198 people died, including 128 U.S. citizens. •Germany claimed it was carrying ammunition (which was true), and they attacked two more times before agreeing to stop attacking neutral and passenger ships•Germans returned to unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 - they were desperate for an advantage over the Allies•It was a gamble for Germany - Hoped to starve Britain into defeat before the U.S. could mobilize and enter

Reasons for U.S. Involvement

•February 1917 – Zimmerman Note officials intercepted a telegram written by Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, stating that Germany would help Mexico “reconquer” the land it lost to the U.S. if Mexico allied with Germany•Seen as a DIRECT THREAT to the U.S.

Reasons for U.S. Involvement

•Closer economic ties to the Allies than with the Central Powers•Common ancestry, language, democratic institutions, and legal systems as Britain•U.S. officially entered the war on the side of the Allies on April 2, 1917

Directions1. Cut out the documents provided and glue them into your notebook. 2. Next to each document, complete the following:

-Describe what the document says/illustrates.

-Explain how it shows that either unrestricted submarine warfare or the Zimmerman note were a cause of U.S involvement in WWI.3. Create your own political cartoon (right in your notebook)that shows why the U.S. became involved in WWI.

NOTICE! Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britian and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German. Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk. IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 22, 1915.

We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace.

Signed,

Zimmerman

Peace Without Victory

Read Wilson’s speech to Congress on January 22, 1917 and answer the following questions in complete sentences in your

notebook:

1. Why does Wilson believe the United States must help end the war?

2. Explain what Wilson means by “peace without victory.”3. Explain how this primary source explains the difficulty of the

United States remaining neutral. 4. Use your videoquest to answer this question: What will be

the impact of U.S involvement (both troops and diplomatic involvement by President Wilson) on the outcome of WWI?