Why was the Battle of the Somme significant? Warm Up Question Why was the Battle of the Somme significant?

America in WWI

America’s decision to enter the war Sinking of the Lusitania British passenger liner Sunk by German sub 1,200 died, including 128 Americans

America’s decision to enter the war Unrestricted German submarine attacks Germany refused to give warning in sub attacks

America’s decision to enter the war Zimmerman note German plot to provoke Mexico to war against US Significance – changed public opinion in U.S.

Different Perspectives We will read two different perspectives on why America entered WWI and try to determine which is more accurate Intro- what are the 3 main reasons that the article gives for the U.S. entering the war?

Perspective- President Wilson Use the 1917 speech to “imagine the setting.” (a) What does Wilson accuse Germany of doing? (b) Do you think this is a good reason to go to war? (c) What additional information would you need to have before making a decision? Re-read the last two paragraphs of the 1917 speech. Why do you think Wilson added these paragraphs? How do you think these words made Americans feel?

Perspective- Howard Zinn Who is Howard Zinn? What do you think his perspective will be? What does Zinn suggest are the real reasons the United States entered the war What evidence does Zinn provide to support his claims that the United States was motivated by other reasons (besides German attacks on U.S. ships)?

Pre-War America Wilson declared war on April 6, 1917 When America entered the war in 1917, we had just over 100,000 troops Smaller than 16 other countries Congress had to institute the draft

As America enters, Russia exits Russian Revolution Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took over Signed a peace treaty with Germany Significance: Let Germany fight a one-front war

The state of the war Germany was slaughtering British and French troops By May of 1918 they were just 50 miles from Paris

America to the rescue American troops jumped in and saved Paris Turned the tide of war 250,000 American troops arriving in France each month

IMPORTANCE OF WWI Deaths Politically American interests Killed 9 million combatants and 5 million civilians Politically Downfall of 4 empires, led to Bolshevik rise to power in Russia, triumph of fascism in Italy American interests Led America to become the world’s leading creditor and industrial power Other consequences Mass murder of Armenians in Turkey Influenza epidemic that killed 25 million people