FROM NEUTRALITY TO WAR:
WORLD WAR I
Was it in the national interest of the United States
to stay neutral or declare war in 1917?
The Alliances
Allies
Central Powers
• Britain
• France
• Russia
• Germany
• Austria-Hungary
• Ottoman Empire
July Crisis, 1914
Timeline of European Alliances Prior to World War I
1879: Dual Alliance
(Germany and Austria-Hungary to protect
themselves from Russia)
1881: Austro-Serbian Alliance
(Austria-Hungary with Serbia to prevent Russia
gaining control of Serbia)
1882: Triple Alliance
(Germany and Austria-Hungary with Italy to prevent
Italy siding with Russia)
1907: Triple Entente
(Alliance between Britain, France, and Russia)
The
Schlieffen
Plan
• Avoids a
two front
Militarism
Alliance System
Imperialism
Nationalism
*spark assassination
Military Alliances in 1914
Neutral or Declare?
“The effect of war upon the United States will depend
upon what American citizens say and do. Every man
who really loves America will act and speak in the true
spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and
fairness and friendliness to all concerned…The United
States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during
these days that are to try men’s souls.”
- President Woodrow Wilson, August 19, 1914
R.M.S. Lusitania at Waterloo
German U-Boat…
Zimmerman Telegram, 1917
Wilson’s War Message to Congress……
“To fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world and for
the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included:
for the rights of nations great and small and the privilege of
men everywhere to choose there way of life ….
The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must
be planted upon the tested foundation s of political liberty.
We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest,
no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no
material compensation for the sacrifices we shall free make.
We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. “
“The power and duty rest
upon both Congress and the
President to act just as
vigorously to prevent a
threat as to defend an actual
attack. It is within their
judgment and discretion as
to whether the Army shall
serve at home or abroad,
and now in Europe to join
with the Allies and help to
root out imperialism …”
A.E. Anderson
Pittsburgh, PA
“The only democracy I
have ever seen in
Germany was in the
Hofbrauhouse in
Munich, where the
artisan, professional,
commercial, and
military men drink the
same kind of beer under
the same roof…..”
Casimir Gonski,
Apollo Theater, Milwaukee, WI
“The predominating strain in our blood is of the bulldog breed. We have never let go when we once
have taken hold, and we are going to see this thing through, come what may and cost what it will.”
A. White, North Carolina
“When Germany ordered the
destruction of American
passenger and merchant
vessels to punish that
country for permitting her
citizens to supply the allies,
she ignored the fact that
England, France, Italy, and
Russia did not destroy
Americans for supplying the
Deutschland on the occasions
of her two trips to America.”
Raoul W. D’Arche
Hartford, CT
“The American Republic is
now engaged in the most
separate and serious war of its
life. The fight is not a new one.
From the earliest history, the
story of mankind has been a
struggle for liberty – for
freedom of conscience’s speech
and action. ‘The power of
tyranny that enslaves men’s
minds has desperately fought
every advancement of human
rights and has stubbornly
contested every inch of the
ground.”
Clyde B. Johnson
Charleston, WV
‘Wot you gonna do wit’ all dat money?
“I say: ‘Taka back to Italee, w’ere I live.”
“No sir; no, you don’ do dat!”
“I say: ‘wot you ‘ave me to wit’ dat
money? I gonna take dat money back
‘ome to my countree, Italee.”
“You gonna give dat money to your
Uncle.”
“I say: ‘I ain’t got no uncle.’
“By goll, ‘e say, you ‘ave. You got a
Uncle Sam.”
Four Minute Men Bulletin 1, May 22, 1917
General Suggestions to Speakers:
1. The speech must not be longer than four minutes.
2. Speakers should go over their speech time and time again until the ideas are
firmly fixed in their mind and cannot be forgotten.
3. Divide your speech carefully into certain divisions, say 15 seconds for final
appeal; 45 seconds to describe the bond; 15 seconds for opening words.
4. Don’t yield to the inspiration of the moment, or to applause to depart from
your speech outline. Remember that one can speak only 130, 140, or 150
words a minute and if you speech has been carefully prepared to fill four
minutes, you can not add anything to your speech without taking away
something of serious importance.
When Speaking Out Was A Crime…..
TRIVIA!!!!!!!!!!
Poland shares borders with seven countries
and one body of water…..
List two countries.
What is the significance of November 11th?
Cost of War…
10
Russia
Germany
Austria-Hungary
France
Great Britain
Italy
United States
Serbia
8
6
4
2
0
Total Casualties in Millions
Field Service Postcard
From: Alfred Galbraith
July 12, 1916
Prime Ministers David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of
France, and President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Gilbert Hitchcock
William Taft
Henry Cabot Lodge
William Borah
Frank Buckles:
Pershing’s Last Patriot
- Primary Source:)