america enters

America Enters

Just in Time to Wrap It Up!

The war had been little more than a stalemate from 1914-1917.

Russia, one of the major Allies pulled out in 1917, severly weakening the Allies.

America chose the perfect moment to enter the war for the Allies.

The Stage Currently

Why?

Several students have asked where America was. Several more have asked what pushed America into the war.

America declared itself neutral when the war began. Neutrality is basically the same thing as isolationism. Bottom line, America did not want to fight.

Several things though pushed America into the Allied side.

Neutrality Isolationism

After the War of 1812, America had become friends and trading partners with Britain.

The British blockaded Germany, limiting American trade with Germany.

American businesses loaned Britain money. Americans felt a connection to our “mother country.”

America Britain

Because of the blockade of Germany, and because many countries traded with Britain, Germany practiced Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (German subs attacked any boats they could).

Americans did not like this because innocents died.

The most famous boat sunk was the Lusitania (1915). Many Americans died on it.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

President Wilson was NO Roosevelt.

He demanded the Germans stop attacking boats and then kept America out of the war.

In 1916, he ran for reelection. His slogan: “He kept us out of the war!”

He won reelection.

President Wilson

Germany sent a message to Mexico saying that if Mexico helped Germany beat America, then Mexico could retake the American Southwest.

The English found the message and was more than willing to send it to Wilson.

America was very upset about this!

The Zimmerman Telegram!!!

Germany returned to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare in 1917 and sunk several American ships.

Wilson also wanted to keep “The World Safe for Democracy!”

America declared war in April of 1917.

Took several months for Americans to arrive though.

Finally at War

The American Expeditionary Force helped deflect the final German attack on the French line.

The Germans asked for an armistice (stop fighting) on November 11, 1918.

The War to End All Wars…