U.S Declares War

Section 2

German Sub Warfare (U-boat)

• German subs broke the stalemate at the sea’s

• U-boats were used to sink allied supply ships

• 1915 U-boat sinks the Lusitania, a passenger liner. 1,200 passengers died, including 128 Americans

• Sussex Pledge – Germany was to warn before u-boat attacks

Lusitania

• Carried 4,200,000 rifle rounds

• 18 cases of explosive fuses

Zimmerman Note

• Intercepted by Britain

• The note was from Germany secretly asking Mexico to declare war on the U.S

• If Mexico declared war on U.S. Germany promised Mexico land in the U.S

America at War

• March 16, 1917 Germany sinks 3 American ships

• April 6, 1917 the president signs a resolution to go to war

• The resolution was supported strongly by senators and congressmen

Gas Warfare

Chlorine Gas• 1st used by Germans

• Greenish yellow cloud

• Once inhaled brought on choking attacks as gas ate respiratory organs

• Mixes with mucus to produce hydrochloric acid (lethal)

Phosgene• Caused less coughing than

chlorine gas

• Onset of symptoms came within 48 hours

• Can cause death b/c people don’t know they are exposed

Mustard Gas

• Odorless chemical

• Caused blisters internally and externally

• Would remain in soil for weeks

• If a trench was being lost armies would intentionally infect the trench