1. America and the War Chapter 16 Section 1

2. At the Beginning Pres Wilson was determined to keep U.S. out of war “We must be impartial in thought as well as action.”

3. Americans were not neutral 8 million German-Americans 4.5 million Irish-Americans Both supported Germany Most Americans supported the Allies. Why?

4. America and the Allies Americans shared heritage, language, political ideals with Britain France helped out in the Revolutionary War For over 2 years Am was “neutral”

5. Two Camps Preparedness movement Prepare for war to stay out of conflict Women’s Peace Party, League to Limit Armament Don’t build up military

6. Gov’t Officials Back Britain Pres Wilson’s cabinet = almost all pro-Brit Exception: William Jennings Bryan (neutrality) Am military = pro Brit  balance of power

7. British want Am support British propaganda Germans had propaganda, too, but it was mostly anti-Russian and didn’t sway the Americans too much Brits tried to control U.S. news Cut transatlantic telegraph cable from Europe to U.S. News based on Brit reports German atrocities

8. Business Supports Brits Am industry pro-Brit Companies (*East coast) ties w/ Allies Banks invest in Allied victory Loans to Allies = $2 billion Banks in Midwest (pro-German) Loans to Germans = $27 million Foreign loans required approval Sec of Treas. Country’s prosperity tied to military fortunes of Allies

9. Moving Toward War Pro-Brit, but still anti-war Brits blockade German ports and search ships for contraband German submarines (u-boats) deployed to stop Am food/supply shipments to Allies Feb 1915—Germans announced thy would sink w/out warning any ship around Brit

10. Germans sink the Lusitania May 7, 1915—Brit passenger ship entered warzone. German sub sank it 1200 passengers killed  128 Am Wilson tried to diffuse Sent official protests to Germany March 1916—Germans sank French passenger ship, Sussex, with several Am on board

11. Wilson’s threat Wilson threatens war if Germans continue to sink merchant ships w/out warning Sussex Pledge 1916  Wilson = “peace” candidate Barely reelected

12. The U.S. Declares War Jan 1917  German official Arthur Zimmermann sent telegram to German ambassador in MX If MX agrees to be an ally to Germany, Germany would return “lost territory” to MX Intercepted by Brits ( Zimmermann Telegram ) Leaked to Am newspapers Feb 1917  Germany resumed unrestricted sub warfare

13. The U.S. Declares War Feb 3—March 21  Germany sank 6 Am ships April 2, 1917  “The world must be made safe for democracy” April 6, 1917  Congress declares war