World War I: From Neutrality to War

Essential Questions:• What considerations should guide the

development of American foreign policy?• When should the United States go to war?• Did America’s emergence as a world

power move it closer or further away from its founding ideals?

President Woodrow Wilson, August 19,

1914• Respond: Identify Woodrow Wilson’s position toward

World War I in 1914 by writing “stay neutral” or “declare war” in your notebook. Then identify one or more phrases that show President Wilson’s position.

Europe on the Brink of War

• August 1914: War has just broken out in Europe involving two great alliances: the Allies (Britain, France and Russia) on one side, and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey) on the other. Millions of soldiers are involved, both on land and at sea. Before anything happens in the war, you, as President Wilson, need to establish what the goals of the United States are. List three goals for the U.S. to keep in mind as the war progresses.

President Woodrow Wilson,

April 2, 1917• Respond: Identify President Woodrow

Wilson’s position toward World War I in 1917 by writing “stay neutral” or “declare war” in your notebook. Then identify one or more phrases that show President Wilson’s position.

Respond• Explain what might have happened in

the three years between the speeches to change Woodrow Wilson’s position.

Europe on the Brink of War• The Roots of War

– European ______________ • Aided by each nation’s increased ______________• Glorification of armed strength and the ideals of war• In order to acquire and protect their colonies under

___________________• Led to the rise of large, sophisticated armies and

navies

A. Triple Entente or ___________France, Britain, Russia

B. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire are ______________________

C. Alliances give security; nations unwilling to tip _________________________________

Europe on the Brink of War• U.S. ________________

– President ___________________ declared neutrality toward Europe

– However, U.S. neutrality was almost immediately challenged in the __________________________, when the situation in Europe exploded.

World War I Begins• The Assassination of the

_________________ – Started ______________– ____________________

Francis Ferdinand, and his wife were assassinated by a ________________ nationalist

– _________________, Austria-Hungary’s tiny neighbor to the south, opposed Austria’s control of Bosnia and desired to join the Slavic Bosnians to its own nation

World War I Begins

• _______________________________-backed by ________________________’s promise of full military support-presented ______________ with a list of demands concerning inquiry into the crime

• ______________________________ wanted ___________________to comply with its deliberately harsh demands or face war.

• ____________________, knowing it had full Russian support in case of war, refused to accept all of ______________________________’s demands.

• After consultation with Germany, ______________________________ declared war on ________________ on July 28.

_________ and __________

• President __________ allowed them to warring nations– ____________ had to be

short-term– Brought great prosperity to

the U.S.

___________ Preventing Trade with ___________

• The _______________ ___________________– ____________________,

mine North Sea, stop war supplies reaching Germany

• also stop food, fertilizer• Wilson dropped objections

– U. S. merchant ships seldom reach _______________

• By 1917, famine in Germany– _______________ trade was

more important than Germany’s to the American economy

_____________ _______ ______Around __________

• German response to the ______________

• _____________ (German submarines) would sink any British or Allied ship in the waters around Britain

• _____________ protests

British Liner ____________ Is Sunk

• Sunk on May 7, 1915 by German _____________

• 1,198 people died including 128 _________

• American public opinion turns against ___________

• President ___________ protests, but __________ continues to sink ships

____________ Torpedoed

• Unarmed _______________ passenger steamer

• ______ passengers, including ________________ are killed

• U.S. threatens to break off diplomatic relations

• May, 1916- ______________________- Germany would not sink any passenger ships and would only sink merchant ships with warning.

______________ ___________

• _________________ note—proposes alliance of Germany, Mexico against U.S.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

• ______________ asks U.S. to get ______________ to end food blockade– otherwise will renew unrestricted

submarine warfare

• ______________ tries to mediate, calls for “a peace between equals”

• Kaiser announces ____________ will sink all ships in ___________ waters

• Four unarmed _____________ merchant ships sunk

__________ systems

• __________ escort merchant ships across _________

- losses ________ dramatically

• Navy helps lay mines across North Sea, keep __________ out of Atlantic

___________ Declares ______

• ___________ calls for war to make world “safe for ______________”

• Revolution in _________– ___________ monarchy

replaced with _________________ government

– War of __________ against _____________