The U.S. Enters World War I

I. World War I : U.S. Neutrality

Objective 8.01: Examine the reasons why the United States remained neutral at the beginning of World War I but later became involved.

A. European Background

• Video:• Answer the following questions from the video for your notes:

• What was the state of European affairs before the “spark?” – everyone was forming alliances, became Central Powers vs. Allies

• What was the “spark” for the war? – assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, caused the two alliances to go to war.

Two Sides:• Allies – Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia• Central Powers – Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire

B. U.S. Response

•Wished to remain neutral – wanted to just trade and make money•Many Americans were split – we had immigrants

from all over.• Isolationism - Saw it as a European war, having no effect on the U.S.

C. Changing Conditions

• German U-boats – German submarines • Fired missiles at any boat it thought

was carrying contraband • In this case contraband means

weapons that will help an enemy country.

• Usually meant the Germans fired at U.S. ships suspected of carrying weapons to British.

C. Changing Conditions

• Sinking of the Lusitania • Video questions:• Why did the Germans attack?

– They thought they were carrying weapons to Great Britain. Killed 128 Americans.• How did the U.S. respond? –

were very mad, became one of the reasons the US joined the war.

D. Election of 1916

• Americans were upset by Lusitania sinking, but still wanted peace.• Wilson is re-elected as “the

peace candidate” and using the slogan “He kept us out of war.”

E. Zimmerman TelegramRead the Zimmerman Telegram and answer questions listed at the bottom.Circle/highlight key points and underline words you would like me to explain.

E. Zimmerman Telegram

• German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman instructed the German Ambassador to Mexico (through cable) to offer Mexico the territories it lost in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo if Germany won the war, hoping that Mexican forces could tie down the American military in North America, preventing America from sending troops to Europe. • Mexican Government declined the German offer. However, British

intelligence intercepted the message and leaked it to American newspapers, outraging Americans who now called for war with Germany.

F. U.S. Declares War

• Zimmermann Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare was the final straw.• 1917 “Wilson’s War Message” –

Wilson went to Congress to ask it to declare war • Wilson to Congress: this will be “a

war to end all wars” and will “make the world safe for democracy”

• Officially joined the Allies.

F. U.S. Declares War

• Not everyone wanted to go to war• Isolationists: America had no

business or role in a European conflict• Only a few members of Congress

voted against going to war• Jeanette Rankin – first woman

elected to Congress, voted against going to war.

Exit Ticket

1)Isolationists would have likely backed which of these actions?

a. Sending military troops to aid the British because of business interests in Great Britain.

b.Staying out of the conflict in Europe because it is someone else’s fight.

c. Being prepared to intervene on the side of the Triple Entente if it appeared they were about to lose the war.

d.Sending weapons and financial support to Austria-Hungary.

Exit Ticket

2) Why did the United States enter World War I? 

a.To end racism.b.To halt German aggression.c.To increase the size of its empire.d.To stop the spread of communism.

Exit Ticket

3) Why was the U.S. unable to maintain a policy of neutrality during World War I?