us entry into wwi › ... › us_entry_into_wwi.pdf · us attempts neutrality wwi was viewed as a...
TRANSCRIPT
U.S Entry into WWI
By 1917…
Soldiers in Europe had been fighting in the trenches for nearly 3 years.
Soldiers were hopeless, suffered from low morale.
The war seemed endless & senseless: “Why are we fighting??"
New Weapons of War: Advanced Technology
Soldiers begin to see the enemy as less than human: DEHUMANIZATION
Soldiers didn’t have to see the enemy who they were killing
Soldiers became detached from the killing
Soldiers were fighting a nameless, faceless enemy
Eastern Front: Place in the east where Germany & A/H fought Russia
Western Front: Place in the west where Germany fought Britain, France, and later the USA
US Attempts NeutralityWWI was viewed as a European problem that didn’t involve American interests
Official US Policy was neutrality (Announced by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson)
However, the U.S. supported Britain and France by supplying them with food and other materials.
In order to break the stalemate, the Germans used UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE: Sink any ship without warning (incl. merchant and neutral ships) Video link
May 1915: British ship the Lusitania was sunk by a German u-boat; 1200 killed including 128 Americans
Video link
March, 1916: the French ship the Sussex was attacked by a u-boat (Americans killed)
Pres. Wilson demanded that Germans stop attacking non-military ships
Fearing the US would enter the war, Germany establishes RESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE: passenger and neutral merchant ships would not be sunk without warning
Nov. 1916: Woodrow Wilson re-elected: Used the slogan: “HE KEPT US OUT OF WAR”
Early 1917: Seeking to break the British blockade, Germany resumes UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE (Brings US closer to war )
Another step bringing the US closer to war: The Zimmerman Telegram
This was a secret telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, proposing that Mexico ally with Germany against the US
In return, Germany give Mexico U.S. territory after the war
April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on the Germany: “The world must be made safe for democracy.”
US formally enters WWI in early April, 1917
https://youtu.be/y59wErqg4Xg To 3:21
Also in 1917: The Russian Revolution occurs:
Russia leaves the war & signs a peace treaty with Germany
Tsar Nicholas is forced from his throne as communists overthrow the monarchy