Lusitania – USA Enters WWI

Do Now: Thursday 3/14/13

Read “The Lusitania” background info.

Who would have wanted to sail on the Lusitania?

New HW: Propaganda Packet – Due tomorrow 3/15 “Breaking the Tie” reading – Due tomorrow 3/15

Newspaper advertisement

May 7. 1915

Lusitania

Reasons FOR sailing on the LusitaniaReasons AGAINST sailing on the Lusitania

How do you think the American public reacted?

Would they have wanted to join the war to retaliate?

How serious do you think this event was?Was the Lusitania simply a passenger vessel

attacked recklessly by the Germans?NO: 4 million rifle cartridges for the British

Army

Zimmermann Telegram

How does the telegram spur Americans to enter the war?

Russia Drops out 19171903: Socialist party breaks into 2 factions

Bolsheviks led by Lenin Mensheviks (more moderate)

1905: workers strikes throughout Russia1906: laws to strengthen Czar’s powers1907: Czar changes laws more power to

land owners1912: Russian Army fires on striking miners

– 150 killed1914: WWI breaks out1917: Czar Nikolas II abdicates throne

(temp. govt) Lenin & Bolsheviks storm the Winter Palace &

seize power

QUESTIONS!

How would you describe this time period in Russian history?

By 1914, Russia was also fighting in WWI. How do you think the war contributed to these events?

What do you think the new Russian Government should have done after taking over in 1917?

U.S. Declares War

Join AlliesStrong cultural ties

Share language with Britain Respect France as another democracy

February 1, 1917: Germany announced they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare

Wilson denounced GermanyBritain intercepted Zimmerman Telegram to

Mexico offering to help reconquer lost territory in New Mexico

Anti-German feeling intensified in U.S.

Discussion Question

If a “World War” were to break out today between the United States (and her allies) and Russia (and her allies) do you think that the government would be able to use propaganda to influence your opinion of the war?

If yes, how do you think they would manage this?

If no, how do you think you would avoid it and obtain “factual” information?

America/Russia in WWI

Peacemaker

1918 2 million American troops on Western Frontboost Allied morale Fourteen Points list of terms to resolve this and

future warsSelf-determination Eastern Europeans should have

the right to choose their own form of governmentGermany realized the war couldn’t be wonKaiser stepped down fled to exile in NetherlandsArmistice Germans asked for an agreement to end

war with the Allies at 11 A.M. on November 11, 1918

Armistice Day November 11

Breaking the tie

What do you think would probably have happened in the U.S. had NOT joined the war?

Explain why the arrival of even a small force of Americans provided a boost for the allies.