The United States Declares The United States Declares War War

Angela Brown

Chapter 10

Section 2

1

German Submarine WarfareGerman Submarine Warfare

German U-boats – short for unterseeboot or submarine

Passenger and merchant ships had no defense.

Subs could go undetected nearly anywhere in the ocean.

This struck many Americans as uncivilized.

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/0005c/0005c03d.jpg

2

British cut the transatlantic cable connecting Germany and the U.S..

Result all news came through London = pro-Allied bias

German U-boats sank British passenger liner, Lusitania.

1200 passengers, 128 Americans and weapons

Passengers had been warned to stay off British ships.

http://www.wreckhunter.net/images/lusitania-nyt2.JPG3

http://www.jaganaud.de/sunkensteamers/images/lus_5.jpg

4

Wilson urged patience from Americans, demanded Germany stop submarine warfare and make payments to the victims families.

Germany replied ship carried arms. After second note from Wilson, Germany

agreed to stop sinking passenger ships without warning as long as crew offered no resistance to German search or seizure.

5

1916 – U-boat sank the Sussex a French passenger steamship.

The U.S. threatened to cut diplomatic ties. Sussex pledge – German government

again promised that U-boats would warn ships before attacking.

Germany’s broken promises frustrated Wilson who now embraced preparedness and authorized U.S. bankers to grant a huge loan to allies.

6

Moving Toward WarMoving Toward War

1917 Germany resumed unrestricted warfare.

Germany thought they could defeat Great Britain before U.S. could make a difference.

Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany and ask Congress for permission to arm U.S. merchant ships.

7

The Zimmerman NoteThe Zimmerman Note

Anti-war senator’s attempted filibuster to prevent action.

Filibuster – senators take floor and refuse to stop talking to prevent a vote on a measure

British revealed contents of secret telegram from Arthur Zimmermann, Germany’s foreign minister, to Mexico.

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Zimmermann

http://www.ulm.ccc.de/old/chaos-seminar/krypto2/zimmermann-telegramm.jpg

8

Promised Mexico Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona for alliance.

Mexico and Wilson did not take it seriously but it influenced public relations.

9

Revolution in RussiaRevolution in Russia

1917 Russia many casualties, malnutrition, miserably equipped, Austria/German forces deep in interior.

Czar Nicholas II, autocratic leader, forced out of power.

Monarchy replaced with republican government.

http://www.geektimes.com/michael/site/archive/2003/05/images/czar-nicholas-ii-family.jpg 10

Russian revolution elated pro-war faction.

Americans did not want to be allied to a Czar.

U.S. free to commit to allies.

11

The War ResolutionThe War Resolution

1917 Germany sank U.S. ships City of Memphis, Illinois, and Vigilancia.

Wilson’s cabinet voted unanimously for war.

War resolution passed 82-6 in senate. 373-50 in house April 6, 1917 signed by President Wilson.

12

Jeannette RankinJeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin, Montana, first woman elected to Congress 1916. (1880-1973)

Voted : “ I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war. I vote no.”

Veteran House Member urged her to vote for war. She was represent the womanhood of the country.

http://www.peaceisawomansjob.com/images/jeannette_small_01.jpg13