United States in WWI By M.J. Brestle BNMS

Which side should the US join? Allies or Central Powers? At first US stays neutral under policy of isolationism (def. )- Why? Policy of staying out of world affairs. Not our fight

Which side should the US join? Allies or Central Powers Democracy or dictators? Allies England & France =democracy Russia – Tsar (king) Central Powers Germany- Kaiser (king) Austria/Hungary – emperor

Which side should the US join? Allies or Central Powers New Immigration – groups that have come to America Allies Central Powers England = 3.2 million Germany= 8 million Russia = 2.7 million Austria/Hung=2.7million 6 million 11 million

Which side should the US join? Allies or Central Powers~ Trade Allies Central Powers England = 1.5 billion Germany = 350 million

Decision: Between US trades weapons & supplies with both sides. (but less with Germany due to English blockade)

Reasons the US sides with the Allies German submarines (U-Boats) attack & sink many US cargo ships ( April ,000 tons lost) May 1915 Lusitania a British passenger ship sunk with 139 Americans March 1916 Sussex French passenger liner sunk *** Zimmerman note – March 1917 – secret proposal to Mexico from German foreign minister Zimmerman that said if Mexico attacks America, Germany will help Mexico get lands back that were lost in Mexican-American War in the 1840’s.

Decision US declares war on Germany – April 6, 191 Congress passed Selective Service Act which on June, 1917 created a Draft (def.) – mandatory military service All men between the ages of must register for the draft. U.S. Armed forces: volunteers = 2 million draftees = 3 million Total = 4-5 million

Homefront Economy changes to produce war materials under Government control through the War Industries Board. Results: U.S. built guns, tanks, railroads, hospitals and supplies. Example: ___ million pairs of shoes, ___million socks

Battles in Europe DatePlaceResults 1917Atlantic OceanU.S. navy destroys about ½ German U- boats fleet July, 1918 Battle of Marne US troops fought as separate American army loses 12,000 – tide of war turns September 12, 1918Battle of St. MihielGeneral John Pershing leads 300,000 American troops September – Nov., 1918 Battle of Argonne Forest 1.2 million fight for 47 days- victory cost 120,000 killed or wounded for 32 km. = __ miles

Plans for Peace Armistice (def.) - end to fighting ___ th hour of the ___ th day of the ___ th month, 1918 Woodrow Wilson -President of the United States- plan for peace called the ‘14 Points Plan’ called for: smaller militaries, end of secret treaties, freedom of the seas, changes in national boundaries, NO REPARATIONS (def.) - price paid by the losers and to establish a LEAGUE OF NATIONS – international organization to settle disputes.

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Wilson’s 14 pts plan only partially accepted by England and France, what results is: TREATY OF VERSAILLES - conditions include: Germany must pay reparations: in money= $33 billion in land = loses Rhineland and Saar Valley (above contribute to start of WWII-how?) Sets up a League of Nations

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Ironically, the US Congress votes NOT to join League due to political fighting and Congress not wanting to give up power to declare war. (Pres. Wilson gets sick and has stroke while campaigning for passage of the Treaty)