Chapter 12 Section 2 Notes The U nited S tates Goes to War

1. Chapter 12 Section 2 NotesThe United States Goes to War Background: US was caught off guard by WW1 President Wilson urged Neutrality- “In thought as well as deed” Most US citizens were not neutral many immigrants supported the Central Powers but most supported the Allies- Why? BritishPropaganda portrayed the Germans as brutal killers Other factors pushing us to the British side: GB put a blockade and laid mines in the North Sea around Germany This kept us from supplying Germany We therefore traded mostly with the Allies Germany responded by isolating GB with U-boats and they killed some Americans- very unpopular with us.

2. Sinking of the Lusitania

3. Background: Because Germany could not match GB’s surface fleet they had to resort to using U-boats to establish a blockade. War has an honor code- especially on the high seas. One of the major rules is that you do not intentionally kill noncombatants. U-boats cannot obey this rule and therefore a nation who uses these is considered dishonorable (bad, evil etc)

4. U-Boat Chain of Events U-boat actions that created a negative attitude in the US: • March 28, 1915- British liner was sunk- killing one American • May 7, 1915- Lusitania was sunk- killing 128 Americans- Germans accused the Lusitania of carrying weapons • August 1915- The Arabic was sunk- Killing two Americans • After protests the German’s issued the SussexPledge- the Germans halted unrestricted submarine attacks • February 1, 1917- Germany resumed unrestricted attacks and promptly sank 5 American ships

5. The Road to War • All the U-boat stuff • American bankers loaned huge amounts of $ to the Allies • 1916- President Wilson increased out military preparedness with the National Defense Act • March 1, 1917- The Zimmerman Note which offered Mexico its lost territories if they attacked the US • April 2, 1917- the President addressed Congress asking for a declaration of war • April 4, 1917- Congress officially declares war

6. Mobilizing for WarGetting Soldiers • Selective Service Act- May 18, 1917- required men between the ages of 21-30 to register with local draft boards- later changed to men between the ages of 18-45 • More than half of the 4.8 million who served were draftees • Some thought the draft would make America more democratic by bringing people of different backgrounds together- The reality was that African Am’s, Am Indians and Mexican Am’s suffered discrimination in the service • African Am’s were generally banned from combat and often performed menial duties

7. Mobilizing for WarTraining Troops • Simple designs allowed for the building of 16 training locations- though not enough uniforms and equipment • Upon arrival the troops were given medical exams • Spent considerable time learning military rules- “spit and polish”- cleanliness was especially important- why? • Extensive practice at the rifle range, learning hand-to-hand combat and the use of the bayonet • By the end of camp the soldiers were in much better health than when they arrived- for many of the soldiers it was the first time they had nutritious food and medical care

8. Over There • First US troops arrived in France in late June 1917 • They were led by General John J. Pershing • They were called the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) • Pershing refused to relinquish (give up) control of the AEF to the Allies • One of the common exclamations by US troops was “Lafayette, we are here” What’s this about? • Most AEF soldiers felt they were doing important work to prevent the world from experiencing a 2ndDark Ages • Early on the AEF did a lot of constructing and didn’t see combat until 1918 • Thousands of women volunteered with the Red Cross, YMCA etc.

9. ConvoyNo Us Soldiers died crossing the Atlantic Ocean