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WORLD WAR I1914-1918
US Involvement
· However, we traded
food, weapons, oil,
steel, and other goods
far more with the
Allied Powers than
with the Central
Powers.
American Neutrality
· Officially, the U.S.
was a neutral
country.
· However, Britain
and Germany set up
blockades around the
British and German
coasts.
Freedom of the Seas
· The U.S., as a
neutral nation,
claimed the right to
trade with either side
in the war.
· German submarines, called U-boats, torpedoed
enemy ships and neutral ships trading with the enemy.
· In 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a
British passenger ship, killing approximately 1,200 people,
including 128 Americans.
Moving Toward War
· Americans were infuriated with the
destruction of the Lusitania.
– secret message from
Germany to Mexico
urging Mexico to attack
the U.S. if the U.S.
declared war on
Germany
Moving Toward War
Zimmermann Note:
– Germany promised to
help Mexico regain land
it lost to the U.S. in the
Mexican War.
(above) Zimmermann Note as Received by
the German Ambassador to Mexico,
01/19/1917 (right) decoded words
Zimmermann
Note: Decoded
Message
* The U.S.
declared war
on the Central
Powers in
1917.
Reasons for US Involvement in
World War I
United States economic and political ties to
Great Britain
Sinking of the Lusitania
Inability to remain neutral
The Zimmerman Note
U.S. I N
Propaganda - information
designed to influence opinion
U.S. portrayed an
evil German
nation
Posters supported
the Allies
Uncle Sam was
created to get war
recruits
WORLD WAR ITHE END
1914 - 1918
The War’s End
German troops
– Had no food and other supplies
– Were retreating with the coming of the U.S. army
Armistice On October 4, 1918,
Germany asked Woodrow Wilson for an armistice (an agreement to stop fighting)
– The armistice began on November 11, 1918
• 11th day, 11th month, 11th
hour
• What is Armistice day called in the U.S. today?
World War I Ends in 1918
Wilson’s 14 Points
January 1919 – world leaders gather in Paris, France for a peace conference
President Wilson presents a peace plan known as the “Fourteen Points”
• Creation of new nations where people could determine how they wanted to be ruled = self-determination
• Ending of secret treaties and peaceful settlement of disputes over colonies
League of Nations
Wilson’s final point called
for the creation of an
international
organization where
countries would work
together to solve problems
This organization was
known as the League of
Nations
Paris Peace Conference
The Allies disagreed on how to “punish”
the Central Powers
– Wilson did not want to punish them – other
allies sought revenge (why?)
Countries and Leaders at the
Peace Conference
USA – Woodrow
Wilson
Great Britain – David
Lloyd George
France – George
Clemenceau
Italy – Victorio Orlando
Treaty of Versailles
June 28, 1919 Forced Germany to accept guilt for war and pay reparations (pay for damages)
Limited Germany’s military
– Forbidden to have aircraft and submarines
Germany lost colonies and territories
League of Nations was created
American Opposition Wilson presented the Treaty of Versailles to the
U.S. Senate in July 1919 for ratification
– The Senate had to approve the treaty before the U.S
could officially accept it
Many Americans did
not trust the idea of a
League of Nations
They thought that an
organization would tie
America to international work
(protecting other nations)
forever
American Opposition The U.S. rejected the
Treaty of Versailles in
1920
– The U.S. did NOT join
the League of Nations
– In 1921 the U.S. signed
a separate treaty with
each of the Central
Powers, officially
ending the war.
