Transcript The United States Enters World War I If the US enters the war, which

The United States
Enters World War I
If the U.S. enters the war,
which side will they choose?
U.S. would like to stay Neutral
• Neutrality - The policy of a nation that does not participate in
a war between other nations.
But if forced to choose…
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Both sides broke International Laws
German subs sank non-military ships
GB prevented free trade - blockade
German citizens were starving
GB had been a friend for 100 years
Germany
Great Britain
France
Russia
President Wilson
Ottoman Empire Austria-Hungary
America Favors the Allies
(3 reasons)
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Germany attacking Belgium upset many
Americans (attack a Neutral?)
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Sink anyone trading with the Allies
USW = Germany’s version of a blockade
US warned Ger. = “You’ll be responsible for
any loss of American life”
Stronger connection to British culture
(US chose to ignore British violations)
Germany Faced the Reality
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Either the US will……..
Remain neutral or…
Join the Allies
US will never join Germany
US continued trading w/ GB (weapons)
Strike One vs. Germany
(May 7, 1915)
• GB passenger ship Lusitania sunk by U-boat
• Believed to be carrying war supplies
• 1,200 died, including 128 Americans
• After sinking the Lusitania, Germany agrees to
stop using USW – Sussex Pledge
Strike Two vs. Germany
(Feb. 1, 1917)
• GB blockade choking out Germany
• Germany announced a return to USW (broke the
Sussex Pledge)
• Germany claimed it was their only chance to win war
• Germany knows this will probably bring the US into the
war, but they predict the US will need time to mobilize
• Germany hoped to win before US gets there
Strike Three vs. Germany
(Feb. 24, 1917)
• GB Intelligence intercepted
a message between
Germany and Mexico
• The Zimmerman Telegram
• Germany offered TX, AZ, and
NM to Mexico if they
attacked the US
• Mexico said no, but the
“damage was done”
• Why?
Wilson Argued for War
• Reasons to join the Allies
1 USW is evil, unfair
2 Loss of American lives to
German attacks
3 The US needs to protect
innocent countries (like
Belgium)
4 Germany threatens
“Democracy” (Germany
and A.H. = Empires with
single ruler)
The US Enters the War
• (April 6, 1917) - US declared war on Germany
• However… US was very unprepared
• Mobilization Process:
 Army was very small – needed a draft
• Selective Service Act – Men from 21 – 30
register (3 million draftees served in war).
 Draftees were untrained and were given old
equipment
 Liberty Bonds – Sold to U.S. Citizens, who would
buy them to loan money to the Allies (to be paid
back later). $20 billion sold in Bonds.
 Americans produce more food and supplies, and
use less themselves, to fuel the Allied troops.
Wartime Persecution
• While the war with Germany was
overseas, some Americans refused to
recognize the difference between the
Central Powers and GermanAmericans living in the United States
• Anti-German hate propaganda,
discrimination, and violence
against German-Americans was
common on the home front
Wartime Dissent (opposition)
• Despite potential mistreatment, not all Americans were on board with
Wilson/Congress’ decision to enter the war
• The U.S. Government responded with the Espionage (1917) and Sedition
Acts (1918).
• Espionage - The practice of using spies to obtain information about
the plans and activities of other countries/governments.
The Espionage and Sedition acts imposed strict
punishments (sometimes even prison sentences) on anyone
who was convicted of “disloyal” activities or language
(limited freedom of speech).
• Rosa Pastor Stokes – 10 years in prison – told an audience “I am for the people, and
the government is for the profiteers”
• Kate Richards O’Hare – over 1 year in jail – declared, “The women of the United
States are nothing more than brood sows, to raise children to get into the army and be
made into fertilizer”
• Eugene Debs – 3 years in prison – gave a speech discussing the economic causes of
the war