Who remembers what propaganda is?

As a neutral nation, U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict– Early in the war, Britain

blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender

– In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain

To enforce the blockade, Germany used a fleet of U-boats

U-Boat: a German boat that attacked any ship that entered or left British ports

This meant neutral ships would also be attacked

U-Boat attacks on neutral shipping raised a ton of protest

• Under international law, a country at war could stop & search a neutral ship suspected of carrying war goods– BUT U-boats simply torpedoed enemy & neutral ships

• Germany warned the U.S. & other neutral nations to keep their ships out of blockade zones

• Wilson vowed to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of U.S. life/ property

Murder on the High Seas

• Germany ignored Wilson’s warning• May 7, 1915: German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania off the coast

of Ireland• Lusitania: British passenger ship

carrying British & U.S. civilians– 1,200 people died (128 Americans)

Wilson threatened to break any ties if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships

– Germany agreed • Didn’t want to pull U.S. into Allied

Powers– Sussex Pledge: before attacking

any ship, Germany promised that U-boats would surface & give warning• This kept us out of war for the

time being

Heyyyy

From Neutrality to WarEven though he preached neutrality & peace, Wilson began to prepare stronger army/ navy

1916 – Wilson runs for reelection against Charles Hughes (R)Hughes favored neutrality, but democrats used propaganda to

portray him as a warmonger

Wilson’s image improved as he “kept us out of war” & he won

Warmonger: person who tries to stir up war

Moving Towards War

• Germany had decided to renew sub-warfare in a desperate attempt to break Allied blockades – they would have orders to sink any ship nearing Britain– Germany knew renewed U-boat attacks would bring the U.S. into war– They gambled they would defeat the Allies before U.S. got involved

• Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany– What does “diplomatic” mean?

Zimmermann Telegram• Urged Mexico into attacking the U.S. if U.S.

declared war on Germany. • In return, Germany would help Mexico win back its

“lost provinces” in the American SW – Texas, Arizona, N. Mexico– This caused anti-German feelings to SOAR

Revolution in Russia

• German subs sank several American merchant ships• Revolution in Russia drove Czar Nicholas II from power• Czars: Russian emperors who rule with absolute power– Revolutionaries rebelled against czar, as their economy dwindled

& there were food shortages• Wilson welcomed the Russian Revolution – Firm believer in democracy– Against his principles to be an ally of an absolute ruler

War Comes“The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy”

April 6, 1917: Wilson declares war