Transcript The United States Enters the War

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 #1
Ethnic 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 #2
Economic 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 #3
War 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 #5
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
The 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
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
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
Propaganda
Spreading 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______________________
Briefly describe what each propaganda item is asking the American Public to
do or support?
1.
2.*
3.
4.
5.
6.*
7. *
8.
9.*
10.*
11.*
12.*
13.*
14.*
15.*
16. (Song)
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______________________
Briefly describe what each propaganda item is asking the American Public to
do or support?
1.
Making socks and
other goods for
the soldiers
5.
US soldiers
should keep
silent about
military plans
9.*
Industry
Support
shipworkers
2.*
Food Admin.
Conserve food
supplies
Women Workers
6.*
Register with women’s
committees to support the
war effort in the workforce
wherever needed at home
Industry
10.*
Gov’t wants to improve
quality of production in
industry
3.
Women to join
the war
effort by helping
farmer
4.
Troops
7. Send
*Educate
8.
books to the
soldiers
abroad
Conserving Coal
(Fuel)
Provide support
the for the
animals in the war
Raise an Army 12.* Bonds
11.*Support/Join
Reduce the killing by
the navy
against the Germans
the “Hun” by buying
liberty bonds
Raise an Army 14.* Anti-German 15.* Anti-German
13.*
16. (Song)
Anti-German/ Buy
Enlist to avenge the
Anti-German/ Buy
Lusitania
Bonds
Bonds
America will win
this war “Over
there”