US and WWIUS and WWI

WWI in EuropeWWI in Europe

NeutralityNeutrality

►When the War in Europe broke out, When the War in Europe broke out, Americans were divided over it.Americans were divided over it.

►Some thought that the war had nothing to Some thought that the war had nothing to do with the US and that we should stay out. do with the US and that we should stay out.

►Others called for a large arms build-up to be Others called for a large arms build-up to be on the safe side.on the safe side.

►The U.S. tired to stay neutralThe U.S. tired to stay neutral..

Ethnic DifferencesEthnic Differences

►There were over 8-million people in the There were over 8-million people in the US with German parentage.US with German parentage.

►Still, Still, most Americans sided with England most Americans sided with England (common heritage, language, etc.).(common heritage, language, etc.).

►Also, Also, most American supplies (and most American supplies (and Loans) go to England (and the Allies). Loans) go to England (and the Allies).

SocialistsSocialists

► The socialists (of all countries) are mainly The socialists (of all countries) are mainly against the war.against the war.

► They feel that it is mostly poor people dying They feel that it is mostly poor people dying to protect the interests of the capitalists.to protect the interests of the capitalists.

► In America, they think the only reason that In America, they think the only reason that America would enter the war is to protect America would enter the war is to protect the interests of the bankers that loaned all the interests of the bankers that loaned all of the money to England.of the money to England.

Naval BlockadesNaval Blockades

► In 1914, England set up In 1914, England set up a blockade to prevent a blockade to prevent goods from reaching goods from reaching Germany.Germany.

► They would force US They would force US ships to go to England.ships to go to England.

► In 1915, The Germans In 1915, The Germans responded with a responded with a blockade of their own.blockade of their own.

►The difference was that The difference was that the Germans the Germans used U-Boats (subs) that attacked used U-Boats (subs) that attacked ships without warning.ships without warning.

The LusitaniaThe Lusitania► The Germans sank The Germans sank

several British ships that several British ships that carried some Americans carried some Americans aboard.aboard.

► The one that caused the The one that caused the most outrage was the most outrage was the LusitaniaLusitania (1915).(1915).

► The ship carried 1,257 The ship carried 1,257 passengers (1,200 died passengers (1,200 died including including 124 124 AmericansAmericans), food, and a ), food, and a great deal of great deal of ammunition.ammunition.

Wilson’s DilemmaWilson’s Dilemma► US economy is dependent US economy is dependent

on being able to trade with on being able to trade with Europe (England in Europe (England in particular).particular).

► Therefore, Wilson can’t Therefore, Wilson can’t afford to halt US shipping afford to halt US shipping across the Atlantic.across the Atlantic.

► Also, U.S. will look like Also, U.S. will look like wimps if they stop wimps if they stop shipping.shipping.

► But if Germany keeps But if Germany keeps sinking US ships, then the sinking US ships, then the US will have to go to war.US will have to go to war.

William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan

► The Populist (Cross of Gold) The Populist (Cross of Gold) politician was Wilson’s Secretary politician was Wilson’s Secretary of State.of State.

► He was a pacifist.He was a pacifist.

► He told Wilson to tell Americans He told Wilson to tell Americans to not travel on the seas.to not travel on the seas.

► When Wilson rejected this When Wilson rejected this and and demanded that Germany pay for demanded that Germany pay for the damage, the damage, Bryan resignedBryan resigned..

The SussexThe Sussex►After the sinking of the British After the sinking of the British

ship ship Sussex Sussex (which killed 2-more (which killed 2-more Americans), Americans), the Germans the Germans promised there would be no promised there would be no more sub attacks without more sub attacks without warning and provisions for the warning and provisions for the safety of civilians.safety of civilians.

►This promise was called the This promise was called the Sussex Pledge.Sussex Pledge.

Why Wilson wants to Remain Why Wilson wants to Remain Neutral Neutral

►Besides the potential costs and loss of Besides the potential costs and loss of lives, the main reason that Wilson lives, the main reason that Wilson wanted to remain neutral was that he wanted to remain neutral was that he hoped he could help negotiate the hoped he could help negotiate the peace.peace.

►He wanted to be able to spread “Self-He wanted to be able to spread “Self-Determination” in Europe.Determination” in Europe.

►He called for “Peace without Victory.” He called for “Peace without Victory.”

Wilson tries to negotiate a Wilson tries to negotiate a peace Settlement.peace Settlement.

► In 1916, Wilson sends his most trusted In 1916, Wilson sends his most trusted aide—Colonel Edward House—to aide—Colonel Edward House—to Europe to try to negotiate peace.Europe to try to negotiate peace.

►He was unsuccessful.He was unsuccessful.

The Election of 1916The Election of 1916

►Wilson is the Democrat—Wilson is the Democrat—His slogan is “He Kept us His slogan is “He Kept us Out of War.”Out of War.”

► The Republican was The Republican was Supreme Court Justice Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes.Charles Evans Hughes.

►Wilson wins a narrow Wilson wins a narrow victory.victory.

How America Entered the How America Entered the War.War.

► In early 1917, 1. The Germans In early 1917, 1. The Germans resumed their unrestricted Sub. resumed their unrestricted Sub. Warfare (THEY BROKE THE SUSSEX Warfare (THEY BROKE THE SUSSEX PLEDGE!).PLEDGE!).

► Then 2. The Zimmerman telegram Then 2. The Zimmerman telegram came out.came out.

US Enters WarUS Enters War

► Finally, Germans Finally, Germans sank some US sank some US Ships and then Ships and then America declared America declared war on Germany.war on Germany.

► U.S. enters on U.S. enters on Allies side.Allies side.

► Wilson’s new goal Wilson’s new goal is to make the is to make the world “world “safe for safe for democracy.” democracy.”