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1917-1918. America At War. Causes. Britain blockaded Germany. No military supplies were to enter – later included food. American merchants did not fight blockade Germans begin to starve. Germans use U-Boats ( Unterseeboot ) to combat blockade. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare No Warning.
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1917-1918 America At War
Causes • Britain blockaded Germany. • No military supplies were to enter – later included food. • American merchants did not fight blockade • Germans begin to starve. • Germans use U-Boats (Unterseeboot) to combat blockade. • Unrestricted Submarine Warfare • No Warning
Sinking of the Lusitania • Submarine sank British liner off the coast of Ireland. • 1,198 people died – 128 Americans • Germans stated the liner was carrying ammunition. • Americans angered • Two more ships would be sunk by German ships against American Protest • Arabic and Sussex • German Promise of not attacking passenger ships is broken many times.
Last Straw • Wilson attempted to mediate the war after 1916 election. • “Peace without victory” • Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. • All ships in British Waters will be sunk. • British Agents intercepted Zimmermann Note. • German Ambassador attempted to convince Mexico to attack us from the south. • Germany would support Mexico in reclaiming Texas – should war break out with U.S.
Russian Revolution (Bolshevik) *When US enters in 1917, Russia had dropped out* • Russia • 1917 had successful Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin • Led to set up of Communism in Russia • Result in Russia withdrawing from World War I • Fear of losing war due to lack of Russian army
US Impact • US enters (April 1917) and helps turn the tide of war • US fights many battles that push Germans out of France • Battle of Marne- turning point of the war and an Allied victory • November 1918 both Austria-Hungary and Germany will surrender • November an armistice or cease-fire agreement is signed
Costs of World War I • 22 million died- half of them civilians • 20 million more wounded • 10 million refugees- left without a home • US lost 48,000 men in battle and another 62,000 from disease • Additional 200,000 wounded or emotional shock (Shell shock) • Cost to US- $338 billion (mainly loans to other countries and equipment costs) • Cost countries like Germany and France much more due to destruction of buildings and towns