What was America doing?
• German-Americans were the #1 immigrant group
in America
• Neutral!
• We helped
• Made loans----Lots of loans!
• Munitions
On the road again!
Propaganda
• Rape of Belgium
• Belgium had been declared neutral years ago
• King Albert of Belgium would not sacrifice his country's honor by
allowing Germany to use Belgium to attack France. He shocked
Germany by refusing the ultimatum.
More propaganda
• Edith Clavell
• Nurse in Belgium who was executed by the Germans
• News of Germans with bags of ears
On the road again!
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
• The Germans and the Brits were using their newest
naval additions
• the submarines
Great Britain
• England set up a naval blockade of Germany
• in the hopes of cutting off supplies
Germany
• U Boats.
• submarines capable of staying submerged for
long periods of time
• Sneak up upon their victims, often at night, and
torpedo them.
• The Germans did not limit their attacks to military
vessels.
• Any ship sailing in the war zone was considered an
enemy.
Let's go see the war!
• Lusitania set sail in May, 1915
• Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic Ocean are reminded that a state of
war exists between England and Germany and the zone of war includes the waters
surrounding the British Isles. You sail at your own risk.
• Saw this as an idle threat
Lusitania
America was furious!
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•
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Wilson chose another way
Issued the Sussex Pledge (1916)
Germany agreed to end unrestricted submarine warfare
But Germany abandons this
USA ends diplomatic relations with Germany
1916 Election
• D- Wilson• He Kept us out of war!
• R-Charles Evans Hughes (chosen to reunite the Rep party)
• Program of greater mobilization and preparedness
On the road again!
Zimmerman Telegram
• Brits intercepted
• coded message from Germany sent to Mexico
• Proposed a military alliance against the United
States
Within days, USA is at war!