the world war i era the united states declares war
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The World War I Era The United States Declares War. President Woodrow Wilson. “He kept us out of the war.” -1916 Election slogan: Forced into the war by Germany. German Submarine Warfare. German use of submarines provoked the U.S. closer to war - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
President Woodrow Wilson
“He kept us out of the war.” -1916 Election slogan:
•Forced into the war by Germany
• German use of submarines provoked the U.S. closer to war
• Passenger & merchant ships were targeted “uncivilized”
• British deepened anti-German sentiments in U.S.
• Cut transatlantic cable connecting Germany & the U.S.
• All news from Europe had to travel through London
• Pro-allied bias helped shape American public opinion
German Submarine Warfare
Tensions Mount• May 7th, 1915, the Lusitania,
British passenger liner, sunk by a U-boat• Germany claimed ship carrying
weapons to England – it was!
• Killed 128 Americans
• President Wilson demanded an end to sub warfare
• Germany promised to warn ships before they fired
More U-boat actions; Germany Tests Wilson
• March 4, 1916 - the Sussex, French passenger liner sunk by a U-boat • Germany issued Sussex Pledge
• Wilson allows U.S. banks to send money to Allied
• February 1, 1917 - Germany violates Sussex Pledge
• German leaders knew action would force U.S to enter war
• Believed they could defeat England before U.S. could become fully involved
• U.S. responded by breaking diplomatic relations with Germany
• Wilson asked Congress permission to arm merchant vessels
Zimmerman Note
• British intercepted a letter from Germany’s Foreign Secretary to Mexico
• Letter tried to persuade Mexico to invade the U.S. if the U.S did not remain neutral
• Letter was not taken seriously in the U.S. but further damaged foreign relations with Germany
Revolution In Russia1. By 1917 – 1.8 million Russians killed, 2.8
million wounded, 2.4 million taken prisoner2. Military defeats =economic & social collapse3. Czar Nicholas II forced to abdicate4. Civil war erupts in Russia5. Communists sign treaty & exit WWI6. Easier for US to enter war without Czar