Ch. 21 WWI 1914-1919

What were the underlining causes of WWI? Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

What was the “spark” that started the war in Europe in 1914? Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the “Black Hand”, a Serbian nationalist group on June 28, 1914

What was President Wilson’s immediate response to the outbreak of war in Europe? Wilson declares neutrality Concerned about reforms at home – still in the midst of the Progressive Era Even though we were officially neutral, we still favored the Allies

Sinking of the Lusitania, 1915 British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat 1,198 people were killed, including 128 Americans Angered Americans, but we did NOT declare war

Sussex Pledge, 1916 After the Germans shot down the French passenger ferry The Sussex, Wilson issued an ultimatum Can not sink passenger ships Must must be searched first & passengers removed before sinking them (no more unrestricted submarine warfare)

The Election of 1916 DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CHARLES EVANS HUGHES WILSON RAN ON THE SLOGAN “HE KEPT US OUT OF WAR!” HOWEVER HE KNEW THAT THE U.S. WAS GETTING CLOSER TO ENTERING THE WAR HUGHES CHALLENGED WILSON’S UNWILLINGNESS TO STAND UP TO THE GERMANS

Zimmerman Telegram, 1917 Germany would resume unrestricted submarine warfare Wanted to make an alliance with Mexico & have them invade the U.S.

EXCERPT FROM THE WAR DECLARATION U.S. Declares War, April 1917 “Whereas the Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America; Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, that the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.” U.S. departed from its foreign policy tradition of noninvolvement in European affairs EXCERPT FROM THE WAR DECLARATION

Americans “Over There” Selective Service Act required men ages 21-30 to register for the draft African Americans served in segregated units Women volunteered but couldn’t participate in combat American Expeditionary Force (AEF) led by General John Pershing Joined combat in the Spring of 1918 Fought in few battles; their large numbers forced the defeat of an already weakened Germany Armistice signed Nov. 11, 1917