America Goes to War

Neutrality Policy1. Saw no need to enter the conflict2. Germans had been stopped by the Allis in their

first advance – appeared not to need our help3. Am. Foreign policy was not to get involved in

European business 4. Against Progressive Movement

Fear that entry in the war would end movement

5. Some did not want their sons to see horrors of war

6. Divided NationEnglish supported AllisIrish supported Germany – hopes of

independenceGerman sympathized with Central Powers

MajoritySympathized with the Allis

common language and customs

German seems the aggressor1. Attack on Belgium2. Use of U-boats

In the end 3. ties of heritage, 4. Economic ties5. course of war decided the

American position

The War Hits Home

During the first two years of the war, America was providing (selling) the allied forces war material

Both the Germans and British imposed naval blockades on each other

The Germans used U-boats (submarines) to prevent shipments to the North Atlantic

Any ship found in the war zone (waters around Britain) would be sunk

German U-boats(Unterseeboot)

Designed for sneak attacks

UC 44 Class U-boat: 1) Aft torpedo tubes 2) Electric motor 3) Main engine 4) Control room 5) Mine tubes

6) Forward torpedo tubes 7) Crew quarters

The Lusitania Disaster United States involvement was

hastened by the Lusitania disaster

The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that carried 1,198 persons

A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner killing all aboard including 128 American tourists

The Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition

Americans were outraged and public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers

May 7, 1915

America Edges Closer to War

Zimmermann Telegram

British government gave Wilson an intercepted telegram

From Arthur Zimmermann, German foreign minister to the German ambassador in Mexico

It proposed an alliance with MexicoMexico declares war against USGermany help Mexico regain lost land

Russia Pulls out

Without the czar

United States could fight for democracyAgainst the Kaiser

And make the “world safe for democracy”

Wilson’s address to Congress

“With a profound sense of the solemn and even tragic character of the step I am taking, and of the grave responsibilities involved, but in unhesitating obedience to my constitutional duty, I advise Congress to declare that the recent course of the German Government is nothing less than war against the United States, and that the United States accept the status of a belligerent which has been thrust upon it, and will take immediate steps to put the country into a thorough state of defense, and to exert all her power and resource in bringing Germany to terms, and in ending the war.”

Woodrow Wilson President of the United States of AmericaApril 3rd 1917

Why US went to warFreedom of the SeasMake world safe for DemocracyHelp shape Europe after war