Document A

U.S. History: Woodrow Wilson’s Neutrality Standard: SSUSH15a

American Neutrality

President Woodrow Wilson declared America’s neutrality and asked Americans to be “impartial in thought as well as in action.” Not so easy! In a nation of immigrants, people took sides.

The balance, however, gradually tipped against the Central Powers as news arrived of Germany’s invasion of neutral Belgium; its use of poison gas; and most important, its submarine attacks on unarmed American Ships.

Document B

U.S. History: Sinking of the Lusitania Standard: SSUSH15a

Travelers Notice!

TRAVELLERS intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies: that the zone of war includes the water 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 of any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travelers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.

Document C

U.S. History: Sinking of the Lusitania Standard: SSUSH15a

Germany Sinks the Lusitania

May 1, 1915------ Despite the German “fair warning,” 1,959 passengers, including Americans, set sail on the Lusitania. By this time several British merchant ships had been sunk. Perhaps Lusitania passengers and crew counted on the ship’s high speed capacity to ensure their safety. Not so. May 7, 1915----- Capitan lieutenant Walther Schwieger, commander of the German submarine U-20, sighted the Lusitania just off the Irish shore. He gave the strike command-with no

warning. One torpedo sank the Lusitania just off the Irish shore. He gave the strike command- with no warning. One torpedo sank the Lusitania within 18 minutes, and 1,195 of the 1959 voyagers lost their lives-including 123 Americans.

The United States expressed outrage. Germany responded on September 1, 1915, with the promise: “Liners will not be sunk by our submarines without warning… provided that the liners do not try to escape or offer resistance.” (Ironically, it was discovered years later that the Lusitania was carrying war materials.)

Document DU.S. History: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Standard: SSUSH15a

Document EU.S. History: Zimmermann Note Standard: SSUSH15a

October 31, 1917- Germany Declares a Policy of Unrestricted Submarine

Warfare Woodrow Wilson, viewing his election as approval of his stance on the World War I, had set out to negotiate a peace settlement short of total victory for either side. On October 21, 1917, he made a speech calling for “peace without victory,” Germany’s declaration only ten days later dashed all hopes of such a negotiated peace.

Document F

U.S. History: Zimmermann Note

Standard: SSUSH15a

Zimmermann Note: The Last Straw

In February 1917, German Foreign Secretary Alfred Zimmermann sent a coded telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico proposing that if the United States entered the war, Mexico would declare war against the United States. With victory the Central Powers, Mexico would regain Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Mexico had lost this land to the United States in the Mexican American War (1846-1848). The British discovered the note and published it in American newspapers in March. What would the United States do?

Was it Right for the United States to Participate in World War I?

Document A1. What’s the title of the document?

2. Who’s the author of the document?

3. Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

4. Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Document B

5. What’s the title of the document?

6. Who’s the author of the document?

7. Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

8. Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Document C

9. What’s the title of the document?

10.Who’s the author of the document?

11.Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

12.Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Document D

13.What’s the title of the document?

14.Who’s the author of the document?

15.Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

16.Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Document E

17.What’s the title of the document?

18.Who’s the author of the document?

19.Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

20.Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Document F

21.What’s the title of the document?

22.Who’s the author of the document?

23.Summarize the quote or what’s the main idea of the quote?

24.Use the document to provide evidence that supports your main idea?

Final Step

Directions: First, wrap up your argument by restating the question (Was it Right for the United States to Participate in World War I). Next, use the information gained from the readings above to explain or support you position. Students must cite two of the documents above while supporting their position. Finally, write a conclusion sentence summarizing your overall position.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________