US and WWI
WWI in Europe
Neutrality
► When
the War in Europe broke out,
Americans were divided over it.
► Some
thought that the war had nothing to
do with the US and that we should stay out.
► Others
called for a large arms build-up to be
on the safe side.
► The
U.S. tired to stay neutral.
Ethnic Differences
► There
were over 8-million people in the US
with German parentage.
► Still,
most Americans sided with England
(common heritage, language, etc.).
► Also,
most American supplies (and Loans)
go to England (and the Allies).
Socialists
► The
socialists (of all countries) are mainly against
the war.
► They
feel that it is mostly poor people dying to
protect the interests of the capitalists.
► In
America, they think the only reason that
America would enter the war is to protect the
interests of the bankers that loaned all of the
money to England.
Naval Blockades
►
In 1914, England set up a
blockade to prevent goods
from reaching Germany.
►
They would force US ships
to go to England.
►
In 1915, The Germans
responded with a blockade
of their own.
► The
difference was that the Germans used
U-Boats (subs) that attacked ships without
warning.
The Lusitania
► The
Germans sank several
British ships that carried
some Americans aboard.
► The
one that caused the
most outrage was the
Lusitania (1915).
► The
ship carried 1,257
passengers (1,200 died
including 124 Americans),
food, and a great deal of
ammunition.
Wilson’s Dilemma
►
US economy is dependent on
being able to trade with
Europe (England in
particular).
►
Therefore, Wilson can’t afford
to halt US shipping across the
Atlantic.
►
Also, U.S. will look like wimps
if they stop shipping.
►
But if Germany keeps sinking
US ships, then the US will
have to go to war.
William Jennings Bryan
►
The Populist (Cross of Gold) politician
was Wilson’s Secretary of State.
►
He was a pacifist.
►
He told Wilson to tell Americans to
not travel on the seas.
►
When Wilson rejected this and
demanded that Germany pay for the
damage, Bryan resigned.
The Sussex
► After
the sinking of the British ship
Sussex (which killed 2-more
Americans), the Germans promised
there would be no more sub attacks
without warning and provisions for
the safety of civilians.
► This
promise was called the Sussex
Pledge.
Why Wilson wants to Remain Neutral
► Besides
the potential costs and loss of lives,
the main reason that Wilson wanted to
remain neutral was that he hoped he could
help negotiate the peace.
► He
wanted to be able to spread “SelfDetermination” in Europe.
► He
called for “Peace without Victory.”
Wilson tries to negotiate a peace
Settlement.
► In
1916, Wilson sends his most trusted
aide—Colonel Edward House—to Europe to
try to negotiate peace.
► He
was unsuccessful.
The Election of 1916
► Wilson
is the Democrat—His
slogan is “He Kept us Out of
War.”
► The
Republican was Supreme
Court Justice Charles Evans
Hughes.
► Wilson
wins a narrow victory.
How America Entered the War.
► In
early 1917, 1. The Germans resumed
their unrestricted Sub. Warfare (THEY
BROKE THE SUSSEX PLEDGE!).
► Then
out.
2. The Zimmerman telegram came
US Enters War
►
Finally, Germans
sank some US Ships
and then America
declared war on
Germany.
►
U.S. enters on Allies
side.
►
Wilson’s new goal is
to make the world
“safe for
democracy.”