Chapter 19 Section 2

The United States Declares War

U-boat

• A German submarine

What was the result of the Battle of Jutland?

• Naval battle• Both the German and

and British fleets suffered heavy losses

• Neither side could claim victory

Based on the results of the Battle of Jutland, what conclusion did the Germans reach on how to attack the British navy?

• This stalemate meant that the U-boat was the only tool the Germans had to fight the British blockade and to target Allied shipping and transport

Lusitania

• British cruise ship• Making its way from

NYC to Britain• Secretly carrying

weapons to Britain• Sunk by German U-boat

“without warning”• Killing 1,200– 128 Americans

How did President Wilson respond to the sinking of the Lusitania?

• Urged patience• Demanded that

Germany stopped its submarine warfare and make payments to the families of victims

• Many angered by U-boats sinking ships without warning

Sussex Pledge

• The German government promised that U-boats would warn ships before attacking– Not the first promise the

Germans made to limit U-boat attacks

How did the Sussex Pledge affect relations between the United States and Germany?

• It created a temporary peace– But American patience

was being tested

Why did Germany end the Sussex Pledge?

• Germany hoped to defeat Britain and win the war in France before American entry into the war could make a difference

Why did Germany’s use of U-boats lead to conflict with the United States?

• Ships had no warning or defense against U-boats

• Submarines attacked American and other neutral ships

• The German government broke its promises about restricting its submarines

Wilson ran for reelection in 1916 using what slogan?

• “He kept us out of war”

Zimmerman Note

• Note from Germany to Mexico

• Proposed that if the U.S. were to declare war on Germany and Mexico would help the Germans…– Germany would help

Mexico regain Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico

Why did the Zimmerman Note enrage Americans?

• Wilson did not take it super seriously, but it angered Americans because it was an attempt to secretly draw Mexico into the war and reward it with U.S. territory

Autocrat

• A ruler with unlimited power– Like Czar Nicholas II of

Russia– The U.S. was nervous

about joining an alliance with a country headed by such a leader

Russian Revolution

• March 1917- Czar Nicholas II removed from power

• Made the U.S. feel better about joining the Allies

• This ultimately led to another revolution in November that led to the rise of Communism

What idealistic reason to go to war did President Wilson give to Congress on April 2nd, 1917?

How did Congress respond to Wilson’s call to war?

• The approved a declaration of war

• The war resolution passed in the Senate 82 to 6

• It passed in the House of Representatives 373 to 50

• U.S. joins war April 6, 1917