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In 1917, the U.S. joined World War I after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking ships like the Lusitania and killing American citizens. Germany's gamble aimed to defeat Britain before U.S. mobilization. Additionally, intercepted communications with Mexico revealed Germany's attempts to recruit allies against the U.S. The war escalated into a total war, requiring governments to control economies and suppress dissent, impacting home front life. Women significantly contributed by filling workforce gaps and serving as nurses, which transformed societal views on gender roles.
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14.3 part 2 America Joins the Fight
America Joins the Fight • The Germans announced that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain • This policy was called unrestricted submarine warfare. • Germany sunk the British passenger ship Lusitania. The attack left 1,198 people dead, including 128 U.S. citizens
America Joins the Fight • The US demanded an end to this, but Germany returned to this policy in 1917 • They gambled that their naval blockade would starve Britain into defeat before the US could mobilize • Ignoring warnings by President Wilson, German U-boats sank three American ships
America Joins the Fight To: MEXICO From: GERMANY • In 1917 a telegram written by the German government was intercepted by the Allies which asked Mexico to join the Central Powers • They offered to help Mexico take back land they had lost to the US • In April 1917 United States entered the war on the side of the Allies.
War Affects the Home Front • World War I soon became a total war. This meant that countries devoted all their resources to the war effort • Governments took control of their economies and switched factory production to war supplies • They rationed food and other supplies needed for the war
War Affects the Home Front • Governments also suppressed antiwar activity, sometimes forcibly. • They censored news about the war • Governments also used propaganda, one-sidedinformation designed to persuade, to keep up morale and support for the war.
Women and the War • Thousands of women replaced men in the work force • Women also worked on or near the front lines as nurses • Most women left the work force when the war ended, but they had changed the view of what women were capable of doing.
Assignment • 1. Describe the major events that led to the US joining the war. • 2. Why would Germany ignore President Wilson’s warnings and continue unrestricted submarine warfare? • 3. Define total war. How did this affect life on the home front? • 4. How did government’s treat news and criticism about the war? Do you agree with these tactics? • 5. Describe the significance of women’s role in the war effort both on the frontlines and at home.