Chapter 6, Section 1

Sec.1 – The U.S. Enters World War I

Sec.2 – The U.S. Home Front

Sec. 3 – The Bloody Conflict

Sec. 4 - The Wars Impact

President Wilson believed that promoting democracy around the world would make the United States more stable and prosperous. These ideals led the to U.S. involvement in the Mexican Revolution. In Europe, tensions were mounting as Arch Duke Ferdinand and his Wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalists. The system of alliances guaranteed other nations would join the conflict, and although the U.S. tried to remain neutral, they entered the war in 1917.

President Wilson wanted to remain neutral

Hard for Americans - many European immigrants live in U.S.

Ex – 8 mil Germans in America

British worked to win American support

Used propaganda to gain support

Britain went as far as to cut the Trans-Atlantic Telegraph

1. Common ancestry and language with great Britain-

2. U.S. & G.B. are both Democratic govts-

3. Strong economic ties with GB & France they owe us money – Money Lent to fight / support war

– how much do we get back if they go under?

Britain began to deploy ships to block Germany from supplies

Germany knew allies needed supplies from U.S.

Germany wanted to cut off supply lines by deploying “Unterseeboots” (Under Sea boats) or “U-Boats”

May 7, 1915 – Germany attacked passenger ship “Lusistania” Killing 1,200 (128 American)

Wilson Overlooked it

March 1916 – Germany attacked French Ship “Sussex”

Wilson Overlooked It – focus on Mexico

Wilson demanded Germans stop attacking

Germany did not want U.S to get involved

Sussex Pledge – Germany would no longer attack merchant ships

Wilson Re-Elected because “He kept us out of the war”

German official Aurther Zimmerman – sent telegraph to Mexico (Jan.1917)

Wanted Mexico to attack U.S.

Goal - Tie up U.S. forces

Promised Mexico, Texas, New Mexico & Arizona after the war

Zimmerman telegram intercepted & taken seriously

Germany resumed unrestricted sub-warfare (Feb.1917)

Between Feb 3 – March 21, Germany sunk 6 U.S. Merchant Ships

Wilson Declared War April 12, 1917!