1. Beginning of World War I Objective- Students will understand… 1) Identify and explain the 3 reasons the US entered WWI? 2) Define propaganda and explain 2 ways propaganda negatively influenced Americans (to go against their beliefs).

2. WWI (1914-1918)- Why did the war begin? Nationalism- love for country turns to hate for neighbor Militarism- glorification of war Imperialism- race for countries in Africa and Asia –Why go to war in Europe for colonies in Africa? Alliances- countries promise to protect each other –Triple Entente- England, France, Russia –Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire What major country is absent from these alliances? Why?

3. US stays out of WWI- for three years (1914-1917) Why would the US want to stay out of the war? (Look at the four causes of WWI) Why was the US able to avoid having to fight? –American reaction- hard to takes one side in a nation of immigrants Immigrants- 1/3 of Americans in 1914 German and Irish immigrants- supported Central Powers US favored Allies –Britain- shared heritage with US (ideas, Democracy, language) –Loans- US lent $ to allies (needed allies to win to get $ back) –Americans felt Ger. started war b/c Ger. invaded neutral Belgium –Propaganda- newspapers and advertisements made Germany look like they wanted to take over the world

4. Neutrality- US “officially” did not take sides –Isolationism- US stayed out of European affairs due to Atlantic Ocean in between both continents –International Violations- neutral countries can trade with nations at war, US traded with both Eng. And Ger. (but Ger and Eng prevented US trading with each others enemy) Britain- blockaded North Sea (prevented US selling food and fertilizer to Germany- 750,000 Germans died from starvation) Germany- sunk US ships headed for Britain with submarines (75,000 died) –Who is the worst aggressor? England or Germany

5. 3 events cause US to join the War –1) Unlimited Submarine Warfare- Germany threatens to sink ANY ship off England Lusitania-(1915) luxury ship sank by Germany (1,200 died including 128 Americans) *US still stayed out of the war for 2 more years –2) Zimmerman Note- German note to Mexico promising Mex. land lost to US if Mex. sides with Ger. –3) Russia pulls out of the war- Czar is overthrown(Russia lost 3 mil. people in WWI) *Germany moves all troops to France and is about to win the war *Allies need US to win *Apr. 1917 US declares war on Germany