1. Unit 5: Imperialism & WWI
1.6.17

2. America’s decision to enter the war: Reason 2
Unrestricted German submarine attacks
Attacks without warning
Germany first promised to give warning, then changed its mind

3. America’s decision to enter the war: Reason 3
Zimmerman note
German plot to provoke Mexico to war against US
Significance – changed public opinion in U.S.

4. Finally, war
German submarine attacks on three more U.S. ships were the final straw
Wilson asked Congress to declare war on April 6, 1917

5. Expectations Germany thought war would be over in 5 months
This would mean the U.S. wouldn’t have time to mobilize
Wilson was particularly interested in crafting the peace agreement at the end of the war

6. Pre-War America
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
Within a year, America had an army of 5 million

7. 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

8. Arguments Against War
What are some reasons why people would argue against going to war (either today or in WWI)?

9. Arguments Against War Many socialists & labor unions opposed the war.
“radicals”
Claimed that big business was controlling the govt’s decision to enter the war
& that the govt was entering the war not to “make the world safe for democracy,” but to make $ on building war materials

10. Opposing Views Fill out the chart for both documents
Document A: Speech by Socialist leader Eugene Debs
Document B: Anti-war pamphlet by Charles Schenck
Do you think Debs & Schenck were anti-American?

11. Opposing Views
To counter opposition to the war, the United States government passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which limited the rights of Americans.
On your own, read Document C & answer the guiding questions.
Were Debs & Schenck guilty of violating these laws?

12. Opposing Views Do you think Debs and Schenck broke the law?
Both Debs and Schenck were arrested for breaking the law, found guilty, and sentenced to jail.
Debs served 22/3 years in prison until President Harding released him in 1921.
Schenck spent 6 months in prison.
Document D (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
What does this ruling say?
Do you agree with the ruling?