HUSH:
WWI Notes – U.S. Involvement

1914- April 1917 President Wilson proclaimed the U.S. would remain neutral in
the war.

U.S. traded supplies to both the Allies (Great Britain and France and the Central
Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary)

Great Britain began to seize U.S. ships bound for Germany and German U-boats
began to sink U.S. ships bound for Great Britain. Great Britain had a naval
blockade around German ports.

German U-boats sink the Lusitania and Sussex leading to the Sussex Pledge from
Germany. Germany breaks pledge and begins unrestricted U-boat attacks on
American ships

President Wilson authorizes huge loans to the allies and begins to prepare for war.

Zimmerman Note – secret message sent to Mexico from Germany encouraging
Mexico to declare war on the U.S.

Russian Revolution- Lenin seizes control of the Czarist government in Russia and
creates a communist state. Russia makes a separate peace treaty with Germany
and pulls out of the war.

April 1917, President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war against
Germany. “A war to make the world safe for democracy.”

Selective Service Act – 3 million men drafted into the military

General John J. Pershing put in charge of the American Expeditionary Force
(AEF) sent to Europe to fight against Germany