America enters World War I

Ch 6.1

Friday, March 9, 2012

• Daily goal:• Understand how Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy differed

from TR and Taft’s.• Understand how unrestricted submarine warfare and

the Zimmerman telegram led to America’s entry in WWI.

• Ch 4.3 Notes Analysis-• How did the US respond to challenges to the Open

Door Policy?• Russo-Japanese War• Boxer Rebellion

Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy

• Wilson believed in Moral Diplomacy- The US gov’t should discriminate between good/bad gov’ts and spread democracy.

• Wilson strongly opposed Imperialism.

The Mexican Revolution

• Wilson sent troops into Mexico and armed groups in Mexico to overthrow their dictator Huerta.

American “neutrality” in WWI

• America claimed to be neutral, but was selling arms to the British.

• Germany responded by attacking any ship heading to Britain.

Sussex pledge

• To keep the US out of the war Germany promised to no longer sink American ships without warning.

Zimmerman Telegram

Zimmerman Telegram

• Germany asked Mexico to become its ally and start a war w/ the US.

• Mexico in return would get lost land in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona after the war.

The final straw

• Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and sank American ships without warning.

War!

• Wilson asked and Congress voted to declare war on Germany.

• Wilson wanted to spread Democracy and restore freedom to the seas.