The United States Enters the War

The six main ideas….

At first, President Woodrow Wilson called on Americans

“To Be Neutral”

However…..

It was difficult to stay completely neutral because…..

Factor #1Ethnic Lines

German Americans sided with the Central Powers.

Irish Americans sided with Central Powers because they did not like Britain.

Many English speaking Americans felt sympathy for the Allies because of their common heritage.

Factor #2Economic Ties

America had a long standing economic relationship with Britain.

Before the war, America traded with the Allies twice as much as they traded with the central powers

Factor #3War helps the

Economy!American businesses made lots

of money supplying both sides

Trade with the Allies increased by about $400 million in the first year of the war alone

Factor #4

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

German submarines sunk the British civilian passenger ship named the Lusitania, killing 1,198 people including 128 Americans.

Even after repeated protest by America and promises by the Germans (like the Sussex Pledge,) unrestricted attacks continued killing approximately 75,000 people.

This was Germany’s defense against the British blockade that forced 750,000 people to starve to death

Factor #5The Russian Revolution

Russia changed its focus from the war to a revolution at home

The Czar of Russia is overthrown and a new provisional government beginning to form

Without the Czar, it was easier for Wilson to support the Allied cause

Factor #6- The last straw!!!!!

The Zimmerman Note Germany’s foreign secretary,

Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to Mexico urging Mexico to attack the U.S. if the U.S. declared war on Germany

In return, Germany would help Mexico get Texas and other U.S. territory

PropagandaSpreading of ideas to help a

cause or hurt an opposing cause.

All types of posters and advertisements were created to sway public opinion or urge the public to action

U.S. Declares War In April 1917, President Wilson and the

Congress declare war on Germany and the Central Powers.

Today’s Activity:

Preparing for war affected U.S. society in many ways as described on pp. 693-696.

While watching the following power point highlighting primary source propaganda, determine what each poster (and the background song) was asking the American public to do.

Name _______________________ Period ___________________ Date______________________

1. 2.* 3. 4.

5. 6.* 7. * 8.

9.* 10.* 11.* 12.*

13.* 14.* 15.* 16. (Song)

Briefly describe what each propaganda item is asking the American Public to do or support?

Activity Part 2: Investigate further how America was asked to prepare to fight….Read in your text (pages 693-696) and write a brief summary (2-3 Sentences minimum) about the background of your assigned topic.

Name _______________________ Period ___________________ Date______________________

1. 2.* 3. 4.

5. 6.* 7. * 8.

9.* 10.* 11.* 12.*

13.* 14.* 15.* 16. (Song)

Briefly describe what each propaganda item is asking the American Public to do or support?

Making socks and other goods for the soldiers

Food Admin.Conserve food supplies

Women to join the war effort by helping farmer

Conserving Coal (Fuel)

US soldiers should keepsilent about military plans

Women WorkersRegister with women’s committees to support the war effort in the workforcewherever needed at home

Educate TroopsSend books to the soldiers abroad

Provide support the for the animals in the war

IndustrySupport shipworkers

IndustryGov’t wants to improve quality of production in industry

Raise an ArmySupport/Join the navyagainst the Germans

BondsReduce the killing by the “Hun” by buying liberty bonds

Raise an ArmyEnlist to avenge the Lusitania

Anti-GermanAnti-German/ Buy Bonds

Anti-GermanAnti-German/ Buy Bonds America will win

this war “Over there”