WOODROW WILSON & PRE-WWI U.S.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Why was the United States neutral during the start of World War I (1914-1917)?

What factors impacted Wilson’s stance on Neutrality or Preparedness?

WILSON’S IMPACT Federal Reserve Act, 1913

Clayton Antitrust Act, 1914

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act, 1916

THE LEGACY OF PROGRESSIVISM

Changed many peoples views on government’s role in society

Made society better for almost everyone

Increased the power of the President

Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLOhByiwdfE

EUROPE AT WAR

THE TWO ALLIANCES

Triple Entente United Kingdom France Russia

Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy

TWO CONFLICTING VIEWS IN THE U.S.

Neutrality-stay out of Europe’s

business

-Germany has not harmed the U.S.

-almost all products of war are negative

-Immigration in the U.S.

Preparedness-being prepared does

not leave you vulnerable

-if war were to break out, then your ready to go

-our “Allied” nations are in need of our help

SHOULD AMERICA STAY NEUTRAL?Neutrality

-John Works, CA (R)

-Civil War veteran

Preparedness

-Robert Lansing, (D)

-Secretary of State

Discussion Questions

1. When does Senator Works believe that war is justified?2. Why does Secretary of State Lansing believe Germany is a

threat to the U.S.?3. Based on these sources, what is the focus of the neutrality

debate? What is not being discussed?4. Which position do you agree with?

Instructions: (Page 325) Read through the documents that show both sides of the argument: Neutrality and Preparedness. Consider the Discussion Questions when reading.

WILSON’S POINT OF VIEW

Strongly anti-war despite his advisors being pro-war

“He Kept us out of the war!” 1916

UNITED STATES ENTERS WWI

Lusitania, May 7, 1915

Zimmerman telegram, January, 1917

April 2, 1917 “The World must be made safe for democracy.”

What are some ways in which the United States should be gearing up for war?

READING GUIDE CHART (9.2) PAGES 328-333

You will be given a reading guide chart. There will be 5 war time programs which Woodrow Wilson implemented that you will investigate using your textbook.

Focus on (1) the needs in which the program addresses, and (2) the process of how the program addresses the needs.

THE HOME FRONT

War Industries Board

Victory Gardens

National War Labor Board

Committee on Public Information

Selective Service Act

All of these are Progressive based Ideas