WORLD WAR I AND ITS AFTERMATHThe United States Enters World War I

LEARNING TARGETS After this lesson you will:

Know why Wilson sent Marines into Latin America Recognize how events in Mexico became one reason for

America to enter WWI Understand how a system of alliances in Europe was

one reason WWI started Describe the naval races taking place in Europe and

how they relate to nationalism and the start of WWI Analyze the Balkan Crisis and its contribution to the

start of WWI in relation to the “black hand”, Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian government, Serbia, and the system of alliances

Discover the countries of the Triple Entente (Allies) and the Central Powers

Analyze the Sussex Pledge and its provisions Describe the Zimmerman Telegram and its contribution

towards American involvement in WWI

INTRODUCTION

The United States did not want to be a part of WWI

President Wilson signed the Treaty of Versailles ending the “War to end all wars.”

The United States did not want to be tied to European obligations.

THE IMPACT ON AMERICA TODAY

The US is involved in European activities today.

WWI helped shape how people view war today.

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:

WOODROW WILSON’S DIPLOMACY

President Wilson believed in: Democracy as an essential ingredient for peace Imperialism led to war

The Mexican Revolution Started in 1911 because:

1. A few wealthy landowners dominated Mexican Society

2. A majority of the people were poor and landless Francisco Madero replaced Porfirio Diaz as ruler

of Mexico Victoriano Huerta replaced Francisco Madero

President Wilson refused to recognize Huerta’s government

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:WOODROW WILSON’S DIPLOMACY

Wilson Sends Troops Into Mexico In April of 1914, a group of American sailors visiting

Tampico were arrested The American commander demanded an apology but

was refused Wilson sent in troops to Veracruz Anti-American riots broke out in Mexico Wilson accepts international mediation and

Venustiano Carranza becomes Mexico’s president. Mexican forces, led by Pancho Villa, conduct raids on

the US using guerrilla tactics They burn down Columbus, New Mexico and killed Americans

Wilson orders General John J. Pershing into Mexico with 600 troops to capture the guerillas.

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:THE OUTBREAK OF WWI

A number of factors set the stage for war in Europe: The Alliance System

The Triple Alliance Prussia became Germany in 1870 Germany attacked France and took land along the

German Border—France and Germany then became enemies

Germany signed alliances with Italy and Austria-Hungary The Franco-Russian Alliance

Russia supported the slavs living in Austria-Hungary against the Austria-Hungary government

France and Russia form an alliance against their common “enemy”.

The Naval Race Germany began building up its Navy in 1900. Great Britain,

becoming alarmed, made an unofficial alliance with France and Russia—The Triple Entente

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:THE OUTBREAK OF WWI CONTINUED

A number of factors set the stage for war in Europe: The Alliance System The Naval Race Nationalism: extreme pride in one’s homeland Self-determination: the idea that people who belong

to a nation should have their own country and government

The spark that lit the fire: The Assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand

June 1914- The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne visited Bosnia

The “Black Hand” assassinated Franz Ferdinand Serbian officials knew about the assassination beforehand

hoping to start a small war that would gain Serbia independence (Self-determination)

The system of alliances brought other countries into the conflict

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:

THE OUTBREAK OF WWI CONTINUED

The Allies: France, Russia, and Great Britain

The Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary

Austri-Hungary sent troops into Serbia, Russia came to the defense of Serbia, Germany joined Austria-Hungary, France and Great Britain joined Russia. Turkey later joined the Central Powers.

Meanwhile… the United States remained neutral. (Why wouldn’t they, the war was “over there” in Europe!)

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:AMERICAN NEUTRALITY

Woodrow Wilson wanted to remain neutral, but…

Americans take Sides Immigrants sided with their homelands

Pro-British Sentiment Many Americans sided with England (the allies)

because of a shared heritage (including Pres. Wilson’s cabinet)

Propaganda was used to try to persuade Americans Business Links

America also did most of its business with Great Britain (England)

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:MOVING TOWARD WAR

Great Britain blockaded Germany by sea. In return Germany used U-boats (submarines)

to take out ships from other countries carrying war supplies to Great Britain including American ships

The Sussex Pledge: Germany sank a French passenger ship (the

Sussex) with Americans on-board injuring them Trying to avoid the war, Wilson signs the “Sussex

Pledge” in which Germany agrees to not attack merchant ships without warning

By keeping the US out of the war in Europe, Woodrow Wilson is re-elected as President in 1916!

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I:

THE UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR

The Zimmermann Telegram German official Author Zimmermann sends a

telegram to Mexico stating that if Mexico declares war on the US that Germany will aid Mexico and help regain its lost territory of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

The Sinking of the Lusitania In May of 1915, German U-boats sink a British

passenger ship, the Lusitania, killing 128 Americans on board

In March of 1917, German U-boats sink four American merchant ships without warning.

President Wilson declares war on Germany on April 2, 1917!

REVIEW QUESTIONS Why did Wilson send Marines into Latin America? What were the events in Mexico leading up to US

involvement in WWI? How did a system of alliances in Europe help cause WWI? What were the naval races taking place in Europe and

how did they help contribute to the start of WWI? Describe nationalism. How did the Balkan Crisis contribute to the start of WWI in

relation to the “black hand”, Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian government, Serbia, and the system of alliances?

What were the countries of the Triple Entente (Allies) and the Central Powers?

What were the provisions of the Sussex Pledge? How did the Zimmerman Telegram contribute to American

involvement in WWI?

ESSAY QUESTION Describe two events that pushed the United States

toward entering World War I.

ESSAY ANSWER Describe two events that pushed the United States

toward entering World War I. To try to cut off supplies going to Great Britain, the

Germans announced in 1915 that their U-boats would sink without warning any ship found in the waters around Britain. This announcement outraged the United States because it violated an international treaty requiring military vessels to reveal their intentions to merchant ships and provide for the safety of the people aboard before sinking the ships. In implementing their policy, the Germans sank the British passenger liner Lusitania in the war zone, killing 1,200, including 128 Americans. In 1916 a U-boat torpedoed the French passenger ship Sussex, injuring several Americans on board. In 1917 British intelligence intercepted a telegram from Arthur Zimmermann, a German official. It proposed to offer the Mexican government its “lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona” if Mexico sided with Germany in the event that the United States entered the war. Furious, many Americans now concluded war with Germany was necessary.