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The Great Nations of the World: World War I Era

Explore the impact of Germany's submarine warfare and the steps taken by the US leading to its entry into WWI. Discover the dynamics between nations and the significance of alliances in shaping history.

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The Great Nations of the World: World War I Era

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  1. Chapter 12: The World War I Era II. The United States Declares War

  2. Bell Ringer • What makes a country one of the great nations of the world? • What domestic conditions and foreign alliances characterize a great nation? • What countries are great nations today? • Why?

  3. Objectives • Discover how Germany's use of Submarines affected the war. • Find out the steps the US took toward war in early 1917.

  4. Setting the SceneDon’t Write!!! • War still going strong in 1916 • Would the US be able to stay out of the war? • Friction between US and Germany would lead the US to join WWI

  5. A) German Submarine Warfare • U-boat: Unterseeboot: submarine • Britains big navy blockaded all shipping to Germany • Germany used submarines to blockade all shipping to UK • At first Germany warned ships before they sank them – too dangerous – started to just sink them without warning • This angered US public opinion

  6. Germany’s surface fleet did attack Britain once – Battle of Jutland – draw • British encouraged anti-German feelings • British cut the undersea cable from Germany to US – US had to rely on British reports only • Germany sunk the Lusitania – a passenger liner – no military value – (maybe there was?) • Germany attacked French liner – Sussex • Sussex pledge: Germany promised to warn ships before sinking them • Wilson started preparing for war

  7. B) Moving Toward War • Wilson runs for re-election, “He kept us out of war” was his slogan. Wins • Germany informs us they will not follow the Sussex pledge anymore – Unrestricted submarine warfare • US starts arming merchant ships • Zimmermann note: German secret offer to Mexico; declare war on the US and Germany will help reclaim US Southwest • Not taken seriously by US or Mexico • Result - US dislikes Germany more

  8. C) Revolution in Russia • By 1917 – Russia has 1.5 million killed • 2.5 million prisoner • Army ill-equipped, badly led, and are being forced back • Autocrat: ruler with unlimited power – monarch • Russia Revolution: Czar Nicholas II forced to give up his throne – The Russian Republic is created • Now Russia a Republic – last stumbling block for the US to join WWI is gone • Germany sinks 3 US ships – one is the Illinois – President Wilson asks for a declaration of war • He gets it

  9. Review • How did Germany’s use of submarines affect the war? • What moves did the US take toward war in early 1917?

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