Transcript Causes of America`s entry into WWI

Review
• 1) List at least 3 techniques used in propaganda
• 2) List at least 2 goals a government might want
to accomplish with a propaganda poster
• 3) Describe one propaganda poster that was
discussed yesterday. List the:
– country of origin
– the technique used
– the goal of the poster
Causes of America’s entrance
into WWI
Neutrality
• In the beginning the United
States wanted to remain neutral.
• Wilson issues declaration of
neutrality in 1914.
Neutrality
• Why did Wilson not want the U.S. to be
involved in the war?
What pulled America into the War
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Unrestricted submarine warfare
The sinking of the Lusitania
Sussex Pledge is broken
The Zimmerman Telegram
Unrestricted Submarine (u-boat)
warfare
• Germany would begin sinking ships without
warning
– In the Atlantic, around Britain
Captured German U-boat in
a British dry dock
The Sinking of the Lusitania
• British passenger liner that set sail from New
York carrying American citizens.
• It was sunk without warning on May 7, 1915
off the coast of Ireland
The Sinking of the Lusitania
• Over 1,100 died; 120+ were US citizens
• Germans claimed the Lusitania was carrying
contraband (war materials: guns,
ammunition…)
– They were right!
The Sinking of the Lusitania
United
States Navy
War
Propaganda
Poster
RESULT of the Sinking of the Lusitania
• Germany, despite promises, sunk another ship
– The Sussex, killing 2 Americans
• President Wilson protested and Germany
issued the Sussex Pledge
– passenger ships won’t be targeted
– Merchant ships wont be either, unless presence of
weapons is established
Sussex Pledge
• The Sussex Pledge broken: February 1, 1917
Germany continued unrestricted submarine
warfare
Zimmermann Telegram
• March 1917 The Zimmermann telegram
released
• If the U.S. entered War against Central
Powers, Mexico should attack the U.S. and
receive as a reward: Texas, New Mexico, and
Arizona.
•How do you think Americans felt about this?
Zimmermann Telegram
• Why would Germany want the U.S. to remain
neutral?
Zimmermann Telegram
Zimmermann Telegram
America Declares War
• April 2, 1917
– President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration
of war
•April 6, 1917 Congress declares war!!