1. Innovations in Warfare
Mass-produced weapons
Submarines (U-boats)
Poison gas
Tanks
Airplanes
Machine guns
Led to high death tolls

2. The U.S. at the Start of WW1 The Monroe Doctrine:
Told European nations to stay out of the Western hemisphere
Also said the U.S. would stay out of European events
“You mind your business, we will mind our business”

3. The U.S. at the Start of WW1
The U.S. adopted a policy of isolationism or neutrality
Did not pick either side and decided to stay out of the war

4. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany’s policy of using U-boats to sink any and all ships in the waters surrounding Great Britain
Sunk an average of two British ships each day in 1915

5. Sinking of the Lusitania
1915: German U-Boats sunk the Lusitania
Part of their policy of unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Secretly carrying war supplies to Great Britain
Killed 1,200, including 128 Americans
American public outraged

8. Zimmerman Telegram
German minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to the Mexican government asking Mexico to join Germany in a war against the U.S.
In return, Germany would help Mexico reclaim land lost before and after the Mexican-American War
President Woodrow Wilson realized war was inevitable and asked Congress for a declaration of war

9. Two Sides
Allied POwers
Central Powers
United States
Britain
Russia
France
Austria-Hungary
Germany
The Ottoman Empire
Go back to the chart at the beginning of your notes and add the U.S. to the Allied Powers

10. The United States Mobilizes
The Selective Service Act
Passed by Congress in 1917
Required all men to register with the government
Created a database used to randomly select men for military service
About 10% of those registered were drafted
Only 2/3 of those drafted (about 2 million) sent to Europe

11. The United States Mobilizes
Segregation in the military
400,000 African American men enlisted
More than half experienced combat
369th Infantry saw more conflict than any other African American regiment
2 men earned the “Croix de Guerre” (France’s Medal of Honor)

12. The United States Mobilizes
Women were not allowed to fight on the front lines
Many women participated in non-combat roles
Secretaries
Nurses
Telephone operators