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U.S. Involvement in World War I: A Journey from Neutrality to Engagement

World War I, or the Great War, began on July 28, 1914, engulfing Europe in a conflict between the Allies and the Central Powers. Initially, the U.S. aimed to maintain neutrality, with public opinion mixed and isolations tendencies prevalent. However, German U-Boat attacks and violations of neutral rights, including the sinking of the Lusitania, stirred American sentiments. By April 1917, driven by threats to American interests and the notorious Zimmermann Telegram, the U.S. declared war, ultimately joining the Allies in a decisive conflict that reshaped global dynamics.

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U.S. Involvement in World War I: A Journey from Neutrality to Engagement

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  1. Over There! U.S. Involvement in the Great War

  2. War! • World War 1 (the Great War) -- July 28, 1914 • Snowballed into tragedy • Europe torn between the Allies and the Central Powers • Would the U.S. get involved?

  3. Stalemate! • The Great War bogged into stalemate • Russian numbers too great in the East • Trench warfare in the West • Casualties mounted

  4. Neutrality • Initial intent was to remain neutral • U.S. interests were not at risk • U.S. public opinion torn • Isolationist tendencies • U.S. militarily unprepared • Wilson as a peacemaker

  5. However . . . • U.S. drawn toward the Allies • German violation of neutral rights (Belgium) • Trade imbalance • American bank loans to the Allies • German U-Boat campaign

  6. U-Boat Campaign • World War I saw the first mass use of submarines (Unterseeboot) • Germany targeted military and supply ships

  7. U.S. Opinion inflamed • Civilians killed when passenger liners attached • Lusitania • Sussex • Wilson threatened to cut ties with Germany • Sussex Pledge (May 1916) • Germany agreed to stop targeting certain ships

  8. Preparations • Influential Americans proposed entering the war in 1915 • National Defense Act passed in June, 1916 • Saw a rapid growth of the military • Increased Army to 175,000 troops • 50 new warships for the Navy

  9. 1916 Presidential Campaign • Seen as a referendum on U.S. policy • Wilson promoted Progressive causes • Anti-War Sentiments strong • “He Kept Us Out of the War”

  10. U.S. Declares War – April 1917 • Zimmermann Telegram • Germany to start “unrestricted submarine warfare” in February 1917 • Germany attempts alliance with Mexico • Plan was for Mexico to declare war on the U.S. • U.S. Merchant ships sunk by U-boats • Spectre of U.S. economicdifficulties

  11. Not a Bang, but a Whimper • The War ended on November 11, 1918 • German troops simply gave up • Could not match numbers of the Allies • Allied troops did not set foot in Germany during the War

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