World War I

US Enters the War

US Enters the War

n  Lusitania (1914) n  British ship; 128

Americans killed

n  German’s return to unrestricted warfare in 1917 n  Sink three American

ships

n  Zimmerman Note – Final Straw

US Enters the War

n  America felt ties to Britain and the Allies n  Why?

n  April 2, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war n  Why does he ask Congress?

Woodrow Wilson n  President 1913-1921 n  Born in Staunton, VA to a Presbyterian

minister; pious, academic upbringing n  Leading intellectual of the “Progressive Era” n  Federal Anti-Trust n  Graduated federal income tax n  Federal Reserve n  Federal Trade Commission

n  Won a second term by a narrow margin on the slogan “He kept us out of war”

The War comes to an End n  Turning Point - Second Battle of the

Marne n  General J.J. “Black Jack”

Pershing n  Germans battle-weary,

shortages, low morale n  Fresh US troops for the

Allies n  Allies go on the offensive

and begin their defeat of Germany

n  In October the Allies break through the Hindenburg Line

n  Armistice - November 11, 1918