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US Involvement in WWI

US Involvement in WWI. Americans Question Neutrality. In 1914 Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away Some German-Americans supported Germany in World War I Americans felt closer to the British because of shared ancestry and language

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US Involvement in WWI

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  1. US Involvement in WWI

  2. Americans Question Neutrality • In 1914 Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away • Some German-Americans supported Germany in World War I • Americans felt closer to the British because of shared ancestry and language • American economic interests were far stronger with the Allies

  3. WWI: A Boom to the US Economy • Britain and France bought products in great amounts. • American bankers gave private loans to Allies. • Germans kept out of American trade by the British blockade.

  4. German Threats Escalate • To stop American aid to Britain, Germany stated in February of 1915 it would sink any vessels that entered or left British Ports • Began U-boat (submarines) warfare around British isles to break through blockade.

  5. Submarine Warfare • The Germans warned Americans their merchant ships might be hit. • May 7th, 1915 British Passenger ship Lusitania torpedoed —128 Americans died. • Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition • After sinking of British and French liners, Germans promised they would not sink unarmed ships without warning SUSSEX PLEDGE

  6. 1916 Election • Woodrow Wilson vs. Charles Evans Hughes • Wilson won a close election using the slogan “he kept us out of war”

  7. The Zimmerman Note (1917) • Sent by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman to Mexico • Was intercepted and decoded by British • Telegram stated Germany would again begin unrestricted submarine warfare • Even worse, telegram proposes alliance between Germany and Mexico • Germany promises will help Mexico get land back lost during the Mexican American War if Mexico joins the war effort against the United States.

  8. America Enters the War • January 1917—Germany announced unrestricted submarine warfare. • US finds Zimmerman Note a few weeks later in 1917. • “Overt” acts—German U-boats sank four unarmed American merchant vessels in two weeks. • April 6, 1917: US declares war because of these German actions.

  9. U.S. Mobilizes for War • May 18th 1917, Selective Service Act • Required all men 21-30 to register to be drafted for war • 24 million men registered • 3 million called to duty • 2 million volunteered

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