1. America’s Involvement in WW1

2. Major battles
Battle of Tannerberg (Aug 1914)- Russian advance into Germany Halted on country borders
Battle of Gallipoli (April 1915)- Allied forces defeated by Ottomans trying to establish a supply route to Russia
Battle of Ypres (May, 1915)- Germans first use chemical weapons
Battle of the Somme (July, 1916)- first use of tanks by the British

3. Battle of Verdun
the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. Feb-Dec. 1916
war of attrition- wear down the other army till they surrender
700,000 total soldiers die

4. Pacifists American people are divided on whether to go to war or not
pacifist – person opposed to all war

5. U.S. involvement
American banks and government sent supplies to both Germans and British
Britain, started a naval blockade to block contraband (war supplies) from reaching Germany
German U-boats (submarines) attacked allied ships to stop blockade

6. Sinking Ships Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- attacking all ships
Lusitania (1915) – a British passenger ship is sunk by a German U-boat killing 1,200 including 128 Americans
Sussex (1916) – a French ship sunk by a German U-boat killed 80 Americans

7. Election of 1916
Election of 1916 – with the war raging in Europe, President Wilson runs for reelection
campaigning on the slogan, “he kept us out of war,”
Wilson wins

8. Zimmerman note
Zimmerman Note (1917) – German-letter sent to Mexico that asks Mexico to join the Centrals Power and attack the U.S.
*promised the Mexican Cession (southwestern U.S.) would be returned to Mexico when the Central Powers won

9. Saving Democracy
Continued attacks on passenger ships and the Zimmerman note led Wilson to ask to go to war.
Stated, “We need to make the world safe for democracy.”

10. Organizing a war effort
Selective Service Act of 1917 – ww1 military draft
America enters the war April 6th 1917