11.18.15 Review of WW 1 documents (Outbreak of WW1 handout) Document A-Lusitania sunk (NY Times)-it was a passenger ship, but it was carrying medical supplies to EnglandThis did not push us into the war, as the only cause-one of 8 reasons we go to war Document B- Zimmerman Telegram, from Germany to Mexico-wanting Mexico to invade US-that would help Germany because it would keep America busy, and out of the war-and then they can come in and kick our butts-they said that the land we took from Mexico would be returned. Intercepted by Great Britain and Britain is concerned because they want our help in the war Germany is agitating the US, trying to bring us into the war-many in America still saying not yet, pulling us in Document C US War Loans 1914-7 Peace on Uncle Sam’s front, on back, it says “we’re selling war ammo”-we say we’re neutral, $2,250 million to Allied Powers, and $27 million to Central Powers WE ARE NOT NEUTRAL Document D-chart “US losses to German Submarine Warfare, 1916-18” Line showing tonnage of vessels sunk, spikes and valleys-early, we see little activity, then we cut off enemy supplies and we see an increase in sinkings In 1917, we see a significant drop, the US is negotiating with Germany for restricted sub warfare-US says “you cannot keep killing innocent people, and you need to restrict sub warfare”-but US is still supplying allies so it goes back up, the US declares war, and the # drops and US is mobilizing for war, stop sending supplies to allies, because they need the supplies At the end, 1918, we see a big spike, because it’s toward the end and the Germans are really bombing our boats Unrestricted submarine warfare Document E- a piece of propaganda saying a German officer kills a family, with a cartoon of a family hanging on a bayonet-to make the Germans look bad-making the Germans looking like baby killers-Germans are heartless, sick, and Americans need to stop them from killing babies Document F President Wilson’s War Message, 1917, “The World must be made safe for democracy” Document G-a cartoon illustrating President Wilson writing his war message He is changing the date because he is going to war regardless-it’s inevitable due to unrestricted sub warfare Document H Who makes money off war-the stock gamblers of wall street-munitions, bonds profits