Will the United States Enter the War?
Scene 1:
Narrator : War has broken out in Europe. The Allied and the Central Powers are fighting fiercely, and only one question remains: Can the United States manage to remain neutral through the war?
United States: I’m going to trade with you. (hands money to GB), and I’m going to trade with you (hands money to
Germany), and I’m going to trade with you, (hands money to France), and I’m going to trade with you (hands money to
Austria Hungary).
Narrator: The US stayed out of the war, but they were trying to trade with everyone, and we had such close ties to Great
Britain. (US runs over to Britain and they do a secret handshake). Still, President Wilson was trying his hardest to stay out of it.
(Wilson runs to the US, stops the handshake, and pulls them back out of it.)
Scene 2:
Narrator: Things were going swimmingly, until the United States learned of a tragedy that took place in the Atlantic
Ocean.
War Hawk: Did you hear about the Lusitania! A German U-boat sunk a British ship and 128 Americans died. President
Wilson, we have to go to war!
Wilson: I know this looks bad, but staying out of the war is important, think of all the Americans that will die.
War Hawk : Mr. President, how can you ignore the Germans shooting a ship, when we specifically asked them not to?
Wilson: Because I am trying to save American lives!
Scene 3:
Germany: (Writing and talking) Dear Mexico, If you go to war with the US for us, we will give you back the land you lost in the Mexican American War. Sincerely, Zimmerman.
(Germany goes to walk the note over to Mexico, but suddenly Britain snatches the letter and hands it to the US)
Britain: (handing letter to the War Hawk) Check this out.
War Hawk: WHAT?!!!!! I can’t believe it! Let’s show President Wilson. (He takes the letter to Wilson)
Wilson: Wow! I cannot believe this is happening. I thought that the United States and Germany remained friends, but this
Zimmerman Note is throwing me for a loop. I don’t know what to do now? I fear we may be unable to remain neutral.
What should I do?
Skit Questions:
1. Who was the United States’ strongest ally?
2. What tragedy occurred in the Atlantic Ocean? Who caused it to happen?
3. What was the name of the Note that Germany sent to Mexico?