Transcript Date______ Page_____ Title: U.S. Involvement in WWI

Date______
Page_____
Title: U.S. Involvement in WWI
Warmup: Read Wilson’s Neutrality Proclamation and
answer the following questions:
1. According to Wilson, how will people who love America
react to the war in Europe?
2. Why does the variety of the national origins of Americans
present a challenge to neutrality?
3. Why would differing views toward the war be dangerous
for America?
Reasons for U.S. Involvement
•May 7, 1915 – German U-Boat sunk the British passenger ship
The Lusitania. 1,198 people died, including 128 U.S. citizens.
•Germany claimed it was carrying ammunition (which was true),
and they attacked two more times before agreeing to stop
attacking neutral and passenger ships
•Germans returned to unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917
- they were desperate for an advantage over the Allies
•It was a gamble for Germany - Hoped to starve Britain into
defeat before the U.S. could mobilize and enter
Reasons for U.S.
Involvement
•February 1917 –
Zimmerman Note 
officials intercepted a
telegram written by
Germany’s foreign
secretary, Arthur
Zimmerman, stating that
Germany would help
Mexico “reconquer” the land
it lost to the U.S. if Mexico
allied with Germany
•Seen as a DIRECT
THREAT to the U.S.
Reasons for U.S.
Involvement
•Closer economic ties to
the Allies than with the
Central Powers
•Common ancestry,
language, democratic
institutions, and legal
systems as Britain
•U.S. officially entered the
war on the side of the
Allies on April 2, 1917
Directions
1. Cut out the documents provided and glue them into
your notebook.
2. Next to each document, complete the following:
-Describe what the document
says/illustrates.
-Explain how it shows that either
unrestricted submarine warfare or the
Zimmerman note were a cause of U.S
involvement in WWI.
3. Create your own political cartoon (right in your
notebook)that shows why the U.S. became involved
in WWI.
NOTICE!
Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are
reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and
her allies and Great Britian and her allies; that the zone
of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles;
that, in accordance with formal notice given by the
Imperial German.
Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or
any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters
and that travellers sailing in the war zone on ships of
Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON, D.C.,
APRIL 22, 1915.
We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted
submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep
the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not
succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the
following basis: make war together, make peace together,
generous financial support and an understanding on our part
that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New
Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you.
You will inform the President of the above most secretly as
soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America
is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own
initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the
same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call
the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless
employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of
compelling England in a few months to make peace.
Signed,
Zimmerman
Peace Without Victory
Read Wilson’s speech to Congress on January 22, 1917 and
answer the following questions in complete sentences in your
notebook:
1. Why does Wilson believe the United States must help end
the war?
2. Explain what Wilson means by “peace without victory.”
3. Explain how this primary source explains the difficulty of the
United States remaining neutral.
4. Use your videoquest to answer this question: What will be
the impact of U.S involvement (both troops and diplomatic
involvement by President Wilson) on the outcome of WWI?