AMERICA’S ROAD TO WAR Sec. 23-2 Pages 671-676 Define: Propaganda – autocracy – unrestricted submarine warfare Identify: Sinking of Lusitania – Zimmerman telegram – Bolshevik Revolution – Vladimir Lenin – Selective Service Act Explain how the US was being drawn into the war – US neutrality – Germans begin unrestricted submarine warfare –British intercept Zimmerman telegram – Russian revolution – US declares war US AND THE WAR • Pres. Wilson wanted US to remain neutral • One third (1/3) of American population had foreign –born parents. Overwhelming majority supported Triple Entente nations or Allies – common language, government and culture • Trading with Britain and France was twice that of Germany. America will gain economically during the war. US AND THE WAR • Propaganda – Information designed to influence opinions • Many were against Kaiser Wilhelm- “bully” of Europe – aggressive attacks on Belgium – killed women and children, ruined cathedrals, libraries and hospitals • America sent supplies to both sides, but Britain searched American ships headed for German ports – seized ships’ goods. • Britain and France borrowed billions from US to help for their war needs. • Germany angry – saw US as helping Allies. SUMMARIZE • What vocab word means information designed to influence opinions? • Who was the German leader known for aggressive attacks on Belgium? • The US kept trading with which two European countries? What country resented this? • Which country searched US ships at this time? WAR ON THE ATLANTIC • British navy was stronger than Germany’s – tried to block all northern European ports to keep Germany from getting supplies • Germans used U-boats (untersee) to keep supplies from getting to British troops – stopped unarmed merchant marine vessels • Both sides stopped neutral nations’ ships – • US angered by this action – announced Germany would be held responsible for American property or lives lost. LUSITANIA • British ship sunk on May 7, 1915. Over 1200 people went down with ship (128 Americans) • Germany claimed Lusitania was carrying arms-war vessel. British denied this – later proved true. Cries from Americans condemned the war. • Pres. Wilson tried to remain neutral – began negotiating for reparations ( war damages) with Germany. Germany promised to abide by international rules of naval warfare – will only attack ships involved in war – carrying weapons SUSSEX • Mar. 1916 – French ship torpedoed – killing/wounding 80 passengers. Pres. Wilson declares American rights must be protected. • If US could not persuade Britain to lift the blockade against food and fertilizers, Germany would renew unrestricted submarine warfare. • Sussex Pledge- Germany promised to warn neutral ships and passenger vessels before attacking. ELECTION OF 1916 • Dem. Woodrow Wilson – slogan “He kept us out of war” – would win 2nd term • Rep. Charles E. Hughes – Sup. Crt. Chief Justice Promised he would not be too severe on Germany. • US had doubled army and built new warships in 1916. Antiwar sentiment was strong but events will soon pull US into war. SUMMARIZE • This British ship was sunk in May 1915 with over 120 Americans on board. • What reason did Germany give for sinking this ship? • What vocab term means money for war damages? • What was the Sussex Pledge? • What two candidates ran in election of 1916? ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM • Jan. 31, 1917 – Kaiser Wilhelm II announced that Germany would resume unrestricted submarine warfare on any ships ( hostile or neutral) in British waters. • US broke off diplomatic relations with Germany • Arthur Zimmermann, Germ. For. Minister, sent note to Germ. Ambassador in Mexico. Note intercepted by British, deciphered (decoded) and info given to US. • Telegram suggested an alliance between Mexico and Germany – if war with US broke out, Mexico would join Germany’s side. In return, Germany would help Mexico “recover Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. • Britain anxious to gain US as ally – needed more troops and supplies BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION • Mar. 1917- Russians overthrow the repressive czarist government under Czar Nicholas II • Replaced with representative gov’t under soviet group. • Germany helps Vladamir Lenin return to Russia and seize power. • Autocracy – gov’t ruled by one person with unlimited power • Lenin’s slogan “Peace, land, bread” won support of poor Russian peasants. Lenin blamed war on capitalism. • Bolsheviks seized power in St. Petersburg on Oct. 1917. BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION • Gov’t ordered all farmland to be divided among the peasants. • Truce signed with Germany • Workers’ council would run factories • Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Russia & Germany) Germany would gain large amounts of coal mines and land (Finland, Poland, Ukraine and Baltic states) – Russia will withdraw from war in 1918. US DECLARES WAR • Apr. 2,1917 – Pres. Wilson addresses Congress “War of democracies against brutal monarchies” “The world must be made safe for democracy” • May 1918 – Congress passes Selective Service Act – US established a military draft • Men (21-30) registered – called to serve – women enlisted into non-combat areas (radio operators, clerks, nurses) • Over 300,000 African-Americans joined – only 40,000 will see combat. Henry Johnson – 1st African-American to receive French cross of war medal for bravery. SUMMARIZE • What was unrestricted submarine warfare? • Which country began using this in 1917? • What country did Germ.For. Minister suggest to ally? What was the agreement? • What group overthrew Czar Nicholas II? • What leader did Germany help gain power in Russia? What was his slogan? • What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk? • What law started the US military draft?