Over There!The United States in the Great War

Focus Question

In a short response of one to three sentences, reply to the following prompt:

• Describe a good reason for a country to go to war.

War!

• World War 1 (the Great War) -- July 28, 1914•Snowballed into tragedy•Europe torn between the Allies and the Central Powers

•Would the U.S. get involved?

Stalemate!

• The Great War bogged into stalemate•Russian numbers too great in the East• Trench warfare in the West

• Casualties mounted

Neutrality

• Initial intent was to remain neutral• Long-standing American policy of isolation•American interests not at risk•U.S. unprepared for war.•Wilson as a peacemaker• Population divided on

which side to support

Additional Concerns

• Modern war fought with 18th century tactics• Stalemate led to new weapons• Poison Gas• Flame Throwers• Tanks•Airplanes

• Casualties mounted

Still the U.S. was drawn to the war

However . . .

• U.S. drawn toward the Allies•German U-Boat campaign•German violation of neutral rights (Belgium)

U.S. Opinion inflamed by atrocities

• Deep disgust over the treatment of neutral nations

• Civilians killed when passenger liners sunk by U-Boats• Lusitania• Sussex

• Wilson threatened to cut ties with Germany• Sussex Pledge (May 1916)•Germany agreed to stop targeting certain ships

Preparations• Influential Americans proposed entering the war in

1915• National Defense Act passed in June, 1916• Saw a rapid growth of the military• Increased Army to 175,000 troops• 50 new warships for the Navy

1916 Presidential Campaign

• Seen as a referendum on U.S. policy in Europe

• Anti-War Sentiments strong• “He Kept Us Out of the War”

U.S. Declares War – April 1917

• Zimmermann Telegram•Germany to start “unrestricted submarine warfare” in February 1917•Germany attempts alliance with Mexico•Germany proposed Mexico declare war on the U.S.

U.S. enters the War• War declared April 6, 1917• Attacks on U.S. shipping • Zimmermann Telegram

• U.S. stressed lofty goals• Preserve “freedom of the seas”• Preserve rights of neutral nations

• “Make the World Safe for Democracy”

Summary

• In a short response of one to two sentences, describe some topic from class today you would like to learn more about.