FROM NEUTRALITY TO WAR:

WORLD WAR I

Was it in the national interest of the United States to stay neutral or declare war in

1917?

The Alliances

Allies• Britain• France • Russia

Central Powers• Germany• Austria-Hungary• Ottoman Empire

July Crisis, 1914

Timeline of European Alliances Prior to World War I

1879: Dual Alliance (Germany and Austria-Hungary to protect themselves from Russia)

1881: Austro-Serbian Alliance (Austria-Hungary with Serbia to prevent Russia gaining control of Serbia)

1882: Triple Alliance (Germany and Austria-Hungary with Italy to prevent Italy siding with Russia)

1907: Triple Entente (Alliance between Britain, France, and Russia)

The Schlieffen

Plan•Avoids a

two front

Militarism

Alliance System

Imperialism

Nationalism

*spark - assassination

Military Alliances in 1914

Neutral or Declare?

“The effect of war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned…The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men’s souls.”

- President Woodrow Wilson, August 19, 1914

R.M.S. Lusitania at Waterloo

German U-Boat…

Zimmerman Telegram, 1917

Wilson’s War Message to Congress……

“To fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included: for the rights of nations great and small and the privilege of men everywhere to choose there way of life ….

The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundation s of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall free make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. “

“The power and duty rest upon both Congress and the President to act just as vigorously to prevent a threat as to defend an actual attack. It is within their judgment and discretion as to whether the Army shall serve at home or abroad, and now in Europe to join with the Allies and help to root out imperialism …”A.E. AndersonPittsburgh, PA

“The only democracy I have ever seen in Germany was in the Hofbrauhouse in Munich, where the artisan, professional, commercial, and military men drink the same kind of beer under the same roof…..”Casimir Gonski, Apollo Theater, Milwaukee, WI

“The predominating strain in our blood is of the bulldog breed. We have never let go when we once have taken hold, and we are going to see this thing through, come what may and cost what it will.” A. White, North Carolina

“When Germany ordered the destruction of American passenger and merchant vessels to punish that country for permitting her citizens to supply the allies, she ignored the fact that England, France, Italy, and Russia did not destroy Americans for supplying the Deutschland on the occasions of her two trips to America.”Raoul W. D’ArcheHartford, CT

“The American Republic is now engaged in the most separate and serious war of its life. The fight is not a new one. From the earliest history, the story of mankind has been a struggle for liberty – for freedom of conscience’s speech and action. ‘The power of tyranny that enslaves men’s minds has desperately fought every advancement of human rights and has stubbornly contested every inch of the ground.”Clyde B. JohnsonCharleston, WV

‘Wot you gonna do wit’ all dat money?

“I say: ‘Taka back to Italee, w’ere I live.”

“No sir; no, you don’ do dat!”

“I say: ‘wot you ‘ave me to wit’ dat money? I gonna take dat money back ‘ome to my countree, Italee.”

“You gonna give dat money to your Uncle.”

“I say: ‘I ain’t got no uncle.’

“By goll, ‘e say, you ‘ave. You got a Uncle Sam.”

Four Minute Men Bulletin 1, May 22, 1917

General Suggestions to Speakers: 1. The speech must not be longer than four minutes.

2. Speakers should go over their speech time and time again until the ideas are firmly fixed in their mind and cannot be forgotten.

3. Divide your speech carefully into certain divisions, say 15 seconds for final appeal; 45 seconds to describe the bond; 15 seconds for opening words.

4. Don’t yield to the inspiration of the moment, or to applause to depart from your speech outline. Remember that one can speak only 130, 140, or 150 words a minute and if you speech has been carefully prepared to fill four minutes, you can not add anything to your speech without taking away something of serious importance.

When Speaking Out Was A Crime…..

TRIVIA!!!!!!!!!!

Poland shares borders with seven countries and one body of water…..

List two countries.

What is the significance of November 11th?

Cost of War…

0

2

4

6

8

10

Total Casualties in Millions

RussiaGermanyAustria-HungaryFranceGreat BritainItalyUnited StatesSerbia

Field Service PostcardFrom: Alfred GalbraithJuly 12, 1916

Prime Ministers David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France, and President Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson

Gilbert Hitchcock William Borah

William Taft Henry Cabot Lodge

Frank Buckles: Pershing’s Last Patriot - Primary Source:)