1. America Declares War!
U.S. Entrance to WWI

2. American Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson determined to stay out of European conflict
Americans took sides
German and Irish Americans support Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, etc.)
Americans generally support Allied Powers (UK, France, etc.)
Some support being prepared for war, just in case (Militarism)
Some support peace for America= don’t want to build up armed forces

3. Propaganda
Propaganda- biased information used to promote a certain cause, AKA Political Advertising
British officials tried to win American support with propaganda
Showed Central Powers as savage, cruel, atrocious, evil, enemy, out to get everyone, including the U.S.
UK cut telegraph cable to control the information sent to the U.S.- Most reports of the war in Europe were sent by the British

5. German Submarines
British blockade of German ports= cut off German supplies
Intercept and inspect neutral German merchant ships
Germans use submarines (U-Boats)
1. To stop shipments to Allied Powers
2. To attack any ship in waters around UK without warning
Germans violate ban on attacking civilian ships
Justification: Too risky for U-Boats to give warning first

6. Sinking the Lusitania May 7, 1915
Germany warned U.S. and UK that civilian ships in war zone would be attacked
British passenger ship, Lusitania, entered the war zone
German U-Boat sunk the Lusitania

7. Response to Lusitania Killed 1,200 passengers, 128 Americans
Outraged Americans- Seen as terrorist attack on civilians
U.S. protests German attacks
Insists on ending endangerment to noncombatants
1916, German U-Boats attacked French passenger ship
Wilson warns Germany that next time, the U.S. will get involved
Sussex Pledge- Germans agree not to sink merchant ships without warning

8. Zimmermann Telegram January 1917
German official, Arthur Zimmermann sent telegram to German Ambassador in Mexico
Offer to Mexican government:
Wants Mexico to agree to join forces with Germany and Central Powers against the United States
In exchange for support, Germany promised Mexico their lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona after the war
Telegram intercepted by British intelligence

9. Response to Zimmermann Telegram
British leak telegram to American newspapers
American furious and enraged
American opinions shift to support war against Germany

10. U.S. Declares War
February German U-Boats start sinking all ships on sight
Sank six American ships
April President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany
“The world must be made safe for democracy.”