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America’s Road to War. What causes the United States to enter World War I?. U.S. Stays “Neutral”. Many Americans divided on the war Against the war: Wealthy don’t want to send sons to fight in a European War For the war: Immigrants feel tie countries fighting in the war
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America’s Road to War What causes the United States to enter World War I?
U.S. Stays “Neutral” • Many Americans divided on the war • Against the war: Wealthy don’t want to send sons to fight in a European War • For the war: Immigrants feel tie countries fighting in the war • US stays neutral but sells supplies to both sides during the war. ■ 1917: British begin Naval blockade, not allowing any supplies into Germany, angering American Merchants
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare • To gain control of the seas Germans start using U-boats • 1915: German U-boat sinks the passenger ship Lusitania • Germans claim there were weapons being carried on the ship • True! But the Germans kill 1,260 civilians, incl. 128 Americans • President Wilson warns Germany – Germany backs off • 1917: Germany losing war, brings back unrestricted sub warfare • Germany sinks three US ships near Britain
British spies intercept a telegram from Germany to Mexico Note tells Mexico that if they invade the US, Germany will help Could allow Mexico to get back lost territory Germany trying to keep US out of European war Zimmermann Note
US Declares War! • Zimmermann note is the “final straw” for the US President Wilson asks Congress to declare war! • April 6th, 1917 – Congress declares war • Easy choice since US already felt a tie with British & French • Propaganda used to convince American public war is necessary