United States Reluctantly
Joins WWI
Wilson Vows to Keep US Out
of War
President Woodrow Wilson is elected in
1912 and runs for reelection in 1916
with the campaign slogan, “He kept us
out of the war.”
 US has 92 million people, many
immigrants from both sides of war
 Most people in US support Allies but
prefer to stay out of war

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Submarine Warfare





Germany warns that it will sink any vessels
entering or leaving an Allied port in February,
1915
This violates US rights as neutrals
Lusitania - This British merchant ship was
sunk in May, 1915. 1000 killed, including 128
Americans
Wilson and many US citizens are furious
Germany pledges not to do this again
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Sinking of the Sussex




Germany sinks the French ship, Sussex, in
February, 1916
25 Americans are hurt
Wilson gives a speech to Congress about
how angry he is about Germany’s violation of
US neutrality
Sussex Pledge - Germany apologizes and
promises to warn neutral ships and
passenger vessels before sinking them
Zimmerman Telegram (Note)
Germany Foreign Minister Arthur
Zimmerman sends a message to
Mexico asking them to declare war on
US, hoping to keep us distracted from
Europe
 US intercepts the message and it is
printed in papers
 US citizens irate - GRRRRR!

US Enters the War




Sinking of Lusitania, Sussex, and the
Zimmerman Note lead US to feel Allies need
help
US declares war on Germany on April 6,
1917
Wilson places Gen. John Pershing in charge
of US troops
Selective Service Act - 21 to 30 year old men
must register for draft (3 million men drafted,
2 million volunteer for war)
Americans Prepare
for World War I
Keys To Success
Six Major Issues as US
Prepares to Enter War
People not in support of war effort
 Labor shortage
 Lack of funds for war effort
 Lack of food for Allied soldiers
 Lack of supplies for the militaries
 Desperate need of fuel for vehicles and
heat

People Not in Support of War
Committee on Public Education - put in
charge of creating support for war
 Propaganda - Used posters, articles,
books, artwork, and speakers to get
word out

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Labor Shortage
Great Migration (1914 - 1920) - 300,000
to 500,000 Blacks move from rural
south to northern cities to find jobs
 Women in Labor Force - Millions of
women go to work to produce war
supplies

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Lack of $Funds$ for War
War Bonds - US citizens by bonds; like
temporary loans to the government
 Money from bonds used to buy war
goods

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Lack of Food
Rationing - Citizens asked to voluntarily
cut down on food consumption
 “Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless
Wednesdays”
 Citizens asked to grow “Victory
Gardens” to cut down on need for food

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Lack of Supplies
War Industries Board - Government
office in charge of war production
 Ordered companies to stop making
whatever they normally do and make
war goods instead

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Desperate Need for Fuel
Fuel Administration - asked people to
cut back on fuel usage - “Heatless
Mondays”
 Created “Daylight Savings Time” to cut
back on electricity needs
