1. Getting the US into the War
World War I
Getting the US into the War

2. Progressives are against the war
WWI
August 19, 1914
“The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days… We must be impartial in thought, as well as action… We must… put a curb upon our sentiments…”

3. Obstacles to Neutrality
Political and Economic ties to Allies
British propaganda
Sub Controversies
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
1915- Lusitania
1915/ Arabic and Sussex Pledges
Violations of neutral shipping rights
Blockade

5. US Responses– Change in attitude?
Armed neutrality
1916- National Defense Act
Increased size of army/ spending (90,000 to 175,000 men)
Not war ready, still avoid war
Election of 1916
Issue: war preparedness vs. diplomatic end to war
Reps: seems like they support war (TR)
Dems: Wilson- “He kept us out of war!”
WW won with only ½ million votes!
Jan, Peace Without Victory Speech
Will become the 14 Points

6. Peace without Victory January 22, 1917
“Victory would mean a peace forced upon the loser, a victor’s terms imposed upon the vanquished… Only a peace between equals can last…”

7. The End of Neutrality
1917- Germans return to unrestricted submarine warfare
March, Zimmermann Telegram made public
March, Tsar overthrown, Russia withdraws
April, Wilson asked Congress for war

8. Zimmerman Telegram January 19, 1917
(if the US does not remain neutral after we begin unrestricted submarine warfare) “We propose the following alliance… we shall make war together… Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona…”
“… the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.”

9. Wilson’s War Message April 2, 1917
“I advise that the Congress declare the recent course of the Imperial German Government to be in fact nothing less than war against the government and people of the United States…
to fight thus for the peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples…
(to defend) the rights of nations… to choose their way of life…
The world must be made safe for democracy…”

10. US Strengths US Weaknesses
May, Selective Service Act calls 3 mil/ 2 mil volunteer
June, AEF under J.J.Pershing to France, independent of Allies
Enthusiasm
New-ish navy, stable gov’t
Strong econ
Large pop-- ~105 million
Unified cause- peace!
US distant from battlefields
No plans for European war
Mobilization took time
Racial segregation of troops- 42,000 Af.-Ams
Allies worn out by HIGH casualties, low morale, drained resources
Russia- Bolshevik Revolution
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ended the eastern offensive

11. CP Strengths CP Weaknesses
Winning for two years!
Large German army
U-boats effective against blockade
High cost of war/ large losses/ low morale
Two front war- Schlieffen Plan failed
Blockade working
1918- allies leaving

12. Propaganda: