US Entry into WWI › ... › us_entry_into_wwi.pdf · US Attempts Neutrality WWI was viewed as a European problem that didn’t involve American interests Official US Policy was

U.S Entry into WWI

By 1917…

Soldiers in Europe had been fighting in the trenches for nearly 3 years.

Soldiers were hopeless, suffered from low morale.

The war seemed endless & senseless: “Why are we fighting??"

New Weapons of War: Advanced Technology

Soldiers begin to see the enemy as less than human: DEHUMANIZATION

Soldiers didn’t have to see the enemy who they were killing

Soldiers became detached from the killing

Soldiers were fighting a nameless, faceless enemy

Eastern Front: Place in the east where Germany & A/H fought Russia

Western Front: Place in the west where Germany fought Britain, France, and later the USA

US Attempts NeutralityWWI was viewed as a European problem that didn’t involve American interests

Official US Policy was neutrality (Announced by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson)

However, the U.S. supported Britain and France by supplying them with food and other materials.

In order to break the stalemate, the Germans used UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE: Sink any ship without warning (incl. merchant and neutral ships) Video link

May 1915: British ship the Lusitania was sunk by a German u-boat; 1200 killed including 128 Americans

Video link

March, 1916: the French ship the Sussex was attacked by a u-boat (Americans killed)

Pres. Wilson demanded that Germans stop attacking non-military ships

Fearing the US would enter the war, Germany establishes RESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE: passenger and neutral merchant ships would not be sunk without warning

Nov. 1916: Woodrow Wilson re-elected: Used the slogan: “HE KEPT US OUT OF WAR”

Early 1917: Seeking to break the British blockade, Germany resumes UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE (Brings US closer to war )

Another step bringing the US closer to war: The Zimmerman Telegram

This was a secret telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, proposing that Mexico ally with Germany against the US

In return, Germany give Mexico U.S. territory after the war

April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on the Germany: “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

US formally enters WWI in early April, 1917

https://youtu.be/y59wErqg4Xg To 3:21

Also in 1917: The Russian Revolution occurs:

Russia leaves the war & signs a peace treaty with Germany

Tsar Nicholas is forced from his throne as communists overthrow the monarchy