1 / 10

Who remembers what propaganda is?

Who remembers what propaganda is?. As a neutral nation, U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict Early in the war, Britain blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain.

betty
Download Presentation

Who remembers what propaganda is?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Who remembers what propaganda is? As a neutral nation, U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict • Early in the war, Britainblockaded Germanports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender • In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain

  2. To enforce the blockade, Germany used a fleet of U-boats U-Boat: a German boat that attacked any ship that entered or left British ports This meant neutral ships would also be attacked

  3. U-Boat attacks on neutral shipping raised a ton of protest • Under international law, a country at war could stop & search a neutral ship suspected of carrying war goods • BUT U-boats simply torpedoed enemy & neutral ships • Germany warned the U.S. & other neutral nations to keep their ships out of blockade zones • Wilson vowed to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of U.S. life/ property

  4. Murder on the High Seas • Germany ignored Wilson’s warning • May 7, 1915: German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland • Lusitania: British passenger ship carrying British & U.S. civilians • 1,200 people died (128 Americans)

  5. Wilson threatened to break any ties if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships Heyyyy • Germany agreed • Didn’t want to pull U.S. into Allied Powers • Sussex Pledge: before attacking any ship, Germany promised that U-boats would surface & givewarning • This kept us out of war for the time being

  6. From Neutrality to War Even though he preached neutrality & peace, Wilson began to prepare stronger army/ navy 1916 – Wilson runs for reelection against Charles Hughes (R) • Hughes favored neutrality, but democrats used propaganda to portray him as a warmonger • Wilson’s image improved as he “kept us out of war” & he won • Warmonger: person who tries to stir up war

  7. Moving Towards War • Germany had decided to renew sub-warfare in a desperate attempt to break Allied blockades – they would have orders to sink any ship nearing Britain • Germany knew renewed U-boat attacks would bring the U.S. into war • They gambled they would defeat the Allies before U.S. got involved • Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany • What does “diplomatic” mean?

  8. Zimmermann Telegram • Urged Mexico into attacking the U.S. if U.S. declared war on Germany. • In return, Germany would help Mexico win back its “lost provinces” in the American SW • Texas, Arizona, N. Mexico • This caused anti-German feelings to SOAR

  9. Revolution in Russia • German subs sank several American merchant ships • Revolution in Russiadrove Czar Nicholas II from power • Czars: Russian emperors who rule with absolute power • Revolutionaries rebelled against czar, as their economy dwindled & there were food shortages • Wilson welcomed the Russian Revolution • Firm believer in democracy • Against his principles to be an ally of an absolute ruler

  10. War Comes “The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy” April 6, 1917: Wilson declares war

More Related