American Neutrality andRoad to War

Ms. Jerome

The War to End all Wars• “The Great War”

“I didn’t raise my boy to be a solider”• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eIc76DCD9M

Mediator of Peace• Wilson wins reelection in 1916

• Feared a war would interrupt international trade

• Feared the U.S. would be dragged into the European conflict

• Calls for American neutrality 1914-1917

• U.S. doesn’t enter the war until August, 1917

“He Kept Us Out of War”—1916 Election

From Neutral…To War Torn • “The United States must be

neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls.”—Woodrow Wilson, August 1914 “Declaration of Neutrality

• “Peace without victory” Woodrow Wilson to U.S. Senate January 1917

The world must be made safe for democracy....

It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts."--Declaration of war against Germany, Apr. 2, 1917

REASONS FOR U.S. INTERVENTION• I. British blockade and German unrestricted warfare• II. Sinking of Lusitania• III. Zimmerman Telegram• IV. Russian Revolution

British Blockade of Germany• 1914-1919—British

blockade immediately after war declaration.

• Purpose—to restrict raw materials from reaching Central Pwrs

• Caused mass starvation – ¾ million deaths

• “Contraband of War” – Food

• America doesn’t fight the blockade

Germany response: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

• Counter-blockade• All cargo headed to Great Britain would be considered contraband!

• No crew warnings would be issued

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Damage• 75,000 people lost their lives

• 1/10 of the number that died from British blockade

• What is the difference between these types of warfare?

• One is way more visible—

• Damage is within Germany—not as visible

Villain Germans• Rapidly turns on Germany

• Why do you think Americans were initially reluctant to be Anti-German?

• Disaster was ready to strike…

Sinking of the Lusitania• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYKdXABWaFg

• May 7, 1915• British ocean liner• Sunk by German U Boat

• 1,198 People died• 128 were Americans • German defense—Lusitania was carrying contraband

How do you think this event changed Americans’ attitude about joining the war?

Zimmerman Telegram—March 1,1917

Russian Revolution • Russia withdraws from the

war. • Why would Russia

withdrawing from war impact the U.S?

• Treaty of Brest Litovsk • Marks Russia’s withdrawal from

WWI. • Russian economy was collapsing

under war effort • Signed between Russia and

Central Powers

Declaration of War April 2, 1917• http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=B6hRDS3LvQQ• “Over There”