US Entry into WWI

American Neutrality President Woodrow Wilson declares the US neutral Did not want to get involved in a foreign war. This was a difficult to do for many Americans.

Reasons for US Entry into WWI Inability to remain neutral in the face of increasing threats to America’s economic interests. US had close economic ties to Great Britain. American banks begin to lend money to Allies. If Allies won, money would be paid back. If Allies lost, money might be lost forever.

Reasons for US Entry into WWI British Propaganda Propaganda: ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause. British want the U.S. to get involved Radio, newspaper propaganda portraying Germans as savages

Reasons for US Entry into WWI 1. German unrestricted submarine warfare Britain blockaded ports to prevent supplies from getting to Central Powers. Germany needs to get around blockade. Also wants to prevent Allies from getting food and supplies.

Reasons for US Entry into WWI German U-Boats - submarines Germany would shoot at any ship without warning – a violation of international law.

Reasons for US Entry into WWI Lusitania – British passenger ship - 1915 German U-Boat fires on ship – ship sinks Kills 128 Americans

Reasons for US Entry into WWI 1916 – U-Boat fires upon Sussex – French ship with Americans on board. After American pressure, Germany issues Sussex Pledge: promise not to sink passenger ships promise to sink no more merchant ships without warning. The Germans do not keep their promise – sink American merchant ships without warning

Reasons for US Entry into WWI 2. Zimmerman Telegram - 1917 Sent from Arthur Zimmerman, German official to the German ambassador in Mexico. Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper or on the back of your notes: What was the purpose of the Zimmerman Telegram? How do you think the United States reacted when they read this telegram?

Reasons for US Entry into WWI President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany – April 2, 1917. “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

Eastern Front Huge Russian losses exacerbated social unrest Tzar at the front; tzarina not able to exercise control Russian Revolution (1917) effectively took Russia out of the war Dec 15, 1917 - Russia negotiated armistice with Central Powers • Began negotiations for peace treaty one week later

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk March 3, 1918 Ended war between Russia & Central Powers Russia ceded large territory to Germany Most significant: One million German troops released to Western Front

Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive What was its aim? How it broke the Stalemate. Why didn’t it maintain?

What was Its aim? Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive Plan 1918 was one all- consuming effort for a new assault on the weaker spots on the allied front line, Before America arrived with Fresh Troops. They Created a new strategy call ‘Storm Trooper Assault’ armed with light machine guns and flame throwers, small groups of soldiers were to cross trench lines and break through to the enemies artillery and destroy it. Storm Troopers would be followed by battle units whose task was to stop resistance. A third wave of troops would then consolidate the gains.

How it broke the Stalemate? The war was still in a stalemate at the beginning of 1918. Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive broke the stalemate as it was successful in breaking through the enemy line using the ‘Storm Trooper Assault’ and using this tactic on weak areas of the allied line this area being were the French and British met.

Machinegewehr 18 MG18 Schmeiser Strumtruppen Stormtroopers Special weapons & equipment Machinegewehr 18 MG18 Schmeiser Body Armor

Strumtruppen Stormtroopers Bypassed strong points to attack from rear Blitzkrieg http://www.bellum.nu/basics/concepts/blitzkrieg.htm Strumtruppen http://www.worldwar1.com/arm011.htm

Major impact during Offensive of 1918 Strumtruppen Stormtroopers Major impact during Offensive of 1918 but … Too little, too late! A

Western Front 1917-1918 Spring Offensive Last ditch effort by Germany ~500,000 US troops in France by March 1918 … and increasing by 300,000/month Last ditch effort by Germany German Spring Offensive March 21 - July 18, 1918 Ludendorff Offensive or Kaiserschlacht

The Second Battle of the Marne – July 18, 1918 Major Allied victory German Generals at this point know they cannot win. 100 000 US troops arrive each month. Germany would not win another battle in the war.

Armistice Facing a revolution at home Germany tries to negotiate a peace. An armistice was signed on November 11th, 1918. This instituted a cease-fire until a peace treaty could be determined. The Kaiser did not surrender. Berlin was never invaded or captured.