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Ch. 23-2. Mrs. Manley . America’s Road to War . America struggled to remain neutral. Propaganda - used to influence American’s opinions to support or oppose the war. Trade between US and Allies helped support Allied cause.
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Ch. 23-2 Mrs. Manley
America’s Road to War • America struggled to remain neutral. • Propaganda- used to influence American’s opinions to support or oppose the war. • Trade between US and Allies helped support Allied cause. • Germany tried to stop trade between US and Britain said it would use U-Boats to sink any ships entering or leaving British ports.
End of Neutrality • May 7, 1915- British passenger ship The Luistaniawas sunk off the coast of Ireland by the German u-boats. • Wilson denounces the attack! • Sussex- French passenger ship sunk months later. Germans agreed to Sussex Pledge- they would warn neutral ships before attacking. • 1916- US Congress doubles the size of army and give $ to build warships.
Wilson is re-elected Pres. using slogan “He kept us out of war!” • 1917- Germany reverses policy of submarine warfare • Zimmerman Telegram- telegram between Zimmerman of Germany and Mexico. It was intercepted by the British and angered Americans! • Revolution in Russia leads Wilson to claim this is “A war of democracy against autocracy!”
March 1917- Germans sink 4 American ships • Wilson declares America can’t remain neutral and stay a major world power • April 2, 1917- Congress declares war; signed by Wilson 4 days later • Not everyone approved us going to war! Rep. Jeanette Rankin (1st female in Congress) voted against it. • Selective Service Act- passed by Congress to start a military draft to build army quickly!
US Military • 24 million men registered- 3 million drafted; 2 million went voluntarily • Women enlist! • African Americans enlist but face racism and discrimination. • Henry Johnson- African American soldier who received the French Cross of War (Croix de Guerre) for bravery.