Who remembers what propaganda is? As a neutral nation, U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict – Early in the war, Britain blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender – In response, Germany
Jan 12, 2016
Who remembers what propaganda is?
As a neutral nation, U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict– Early in the war, Britain
blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender
– In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain
To enforce the blockade, Germany used a fleet of U-boats
U-Boat: a German boat that attacked any ship that entered or left British ports
This meant neutral ships would also be attacked
U-Boat attacks on neutral shipping raised a ton of protest
• Under international law, a country at war could stop & search a neutral ship suspected of carrying war goods– BUT U-boats simply torpedoed enemy & neutral ships
• Germany warned the U.S. & other neutral nations to keep their ships out of blockade zones
• Wilson vowed to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of U.S. life/ property
Murder on the High Seas
• Germany ignored Wilson’s warning• May 7, 1915: German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania off the coast
of Ireland• Lusitania: British passenger ship
carrying British & U.S. civilians– 1,200 people died (128 Americans)
Wilson threatened to break any ties if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships
– Germany agreed • Didn’t want to pull U.S. into Allied
Powers
– Sussex Pledge: before attacking any ship, Germany promised that U-boats would surface & give warning• This kept us out of war for the
time being
Heyyyy
From Neutrality to WarEven though he preached neutrality & peace, Wilson began to prepare stronger army/ navy
1916 – Wilson runs for reelection against Charles Hughes (R)Hughes favored neutrality, but democrats used propaganda to
portray him as a warmonger
Wilson’s image improved as he “kept us out of war” & he won
Warmonger: person who tries to stir up war
Moving Towards War
• Germany had decided to renew sub-warfare in a desperate attempt to break Allied blockades – they would have orders to sink any ship nearing Britain– Germany knew renewed U-boat attacks would bring the U.S. into war– They gambled they would defeat the Allies before U.S. got involved
• Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany– What does “diplomatic” mean?
Zimmermann Telegram• Urged Mexico into attacking the U.S. if U.S.
declared war on Germany. • In return, Germany would help Mexico win back its
“lost provinces” in the American SW – Texas, Arizona, N. Mexico– This caused anti-German feelings to SOAR
Revolution in Russia
• German subs sank several American merchant ships• Revolution in Russia drove Czar Nicholas II from power• Czars: Russian emperors who rule with absolute power– Revolutionaries rebelled against czar, as their economy dwindled
& there were food shortages
• Wilson welcomed the Russian Revolution – Firm believer in democracy– Against his principles to be an ally of an absolute ruler
War Comes“The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy”
April 6, 1917: Wilson declares war