Transcript The US Enters WWI

The United
States in World
War I
•Copy into your
notes!
•Despite declaring
neutrality in 1914, the
United States declared
war on Germany in 1917.
Many incidents, such as
the sinking of the
Lusitania, led the United
States to declare war.
Causes of U.S.
Involvement in
World War I
• Wilson felt
that neutral
nations should
be allowed
freedom of
the seas
• 1. Large amounts of war
supplies were being sent to
the British. The Germans
began attacking passenger
ships, such as the Lusitania in
1915.
Causes of U.S.
Involvement in
World War I
• 2. Wilson threatened Germany
with war if submarine attacks
continued. Germany stopped
the attacks in 1916.
Causes of U.S.
Involvement in
World War I
• 3. Germany thought they could win
the war before the U.S. entered, so
in January 1917 it resumed
unrestricted submarine warfare
• Wilson believed this violated the
principle of freedom of the seas
Causes of U.S.
Involvement in
World War I
• Germany sent a
secret message to
Mexico—get the
US’s attention away
from Europe so
Germany can win the
war
• Americans were
outraged when it
became public
•4. The Zimmerman
Telegram
The U.S.
Declares War
• April 1917
• The United
States declares
war on
Germany
• Wilson made a speech to
Congress urging them to
declare war on Germany