PowerPoint Presentation
Warm-upList three words that describe the conditions in the
trenches during World War I.
In your opinion, what was the most significanttechnological
advancement during WWI, and why?
What do you believe pushes the US into the War?The United States
& World War I
Up until 1917, the U.S. remained neutral in the war.Woodrow
Wilson was the President of the U.S. during WWI and would serve
until 1920.
American NeutralityWhy did Wilson want the US to remain neutral?
Why did this prove to be so difficult?
IsolationistsUS should remain isolated andshould not join the
warInterventionistsUS should intervene andjoin the
AlliesInternationalistsUS should play an active role for peace but
should NOT send troops (middle ground)
4Neutrality Rights Violations - President Wilson warned Germany
to respect our neutrality rights on the open seas, but they
continued to attack and sink our ships. Sussex Pledge (1916)- After
a German U-Boat sank a French passenger ship, the Sussex, in the
English Channel injuring several Americans, Wilson threatened to
break Neutrality.
Germany pledged not to attack merchant vessels without warning,
but they would not honor this pledge.American InvolvementU-Boat
Attacks
Describe the major actions of Germanys submarines against Allied
ships.
Destroying all ships, battleships & passenger shipsGermany
pledged not to attack merchant vessels without warning after this,
but they would break the Sussex PledgeGermany breaks the Sussex
Pledge
6American InvolvementInvasion of Belgium
What were the German actions against Belgium and how did the US
respond?
Germany invaded NEUTRAL Belgium, took supplies, killed unarmed
citizens, destroyed towns; US opinion turns against Germany
7Germanys Unrestricted Submarine WarfareGermany did so to bring
England to her knees before the United States entered war and
because the Russians had recently dropped out of wartime to act was
NOW
Warnings issued to Travelers
Sinking of the Lusitania - A British passenger ship was sunk by
a German U-Boat killing 1,200 people, including 128 Americans.
American InvolvementThe Zimmermann Telegram
Who wrote it and to whom was it written? What did it say? How
did the US respond?
Arthur Zimmermann (Germany Foreign Minister), to MexicoProposed
alliance between Mexico and Germany against the US promises a
return of former lands to MexicoUS declares war on Germany
(1917)
11The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 - Czar Nicholas II of Russia
is overthrown by the Bolshevik (Communist) Party led by Vladimir
Lenin. Lenin will soon make peace with Germany and pull out of the
war.
Wilsonian IdealismWilsonian Idealism Enthroned Many people still
didnt want to enter into war, Six senators and 50 representatives,
including the first Congresswoman, Jeanette Ranking, voted against
war. To gain enthusiasm for the war, Wilson came up with the idea
of America entering the war to make the world safe for
democracy.
A Declaration of WarOn April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked for
Congress to declare war, which it did four days later President
Wilson did not keep US out of war.
---Who are the figures?
---How is each portrayed?
---What is the cartoonistsmessage?15What were the reasons for US
involvement in the war?1. German attacks on Belgium (neutrality
rights violations)2. U-boat attacks on merchant ships3. Zimmerman
Telegram4. Wilsonian idealism5. Russian Revolution
