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The United States and WWI

The United States and WWI. The decision to fight. Cultural Ties. Most Americans supported the Allies Because of America’s history, most felt a connection due to language, culture, etc. However, some German Americans, Irish Americans, and Russian Jewish immigrants favored the Central powers

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The United States and WWI

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  1. The United States and WWI The decision to fight

  2. Cultural Ties • Most Americans supported the Allies • Because of America’s history, most felt a connection due to language, culture, etc. • However, some German Americans, Irish Americans, and Russian Jewish immigrants favored the Central powers • Why would these groups be on the side of the Central powers?

  3. The Lusitania and Submarine Warfare • The Lusitania, a British cruise/transport ship, bound for Britain from New York was sunk in 1915. • 1195 people died, including 128 Americans. • There were unauthorized German submarines along the US East coast. • Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in the spring of 1917.

  4. German U-boats

  5. Lusitania

  6. Economics • The U.S. had a major economic investment with the British and French. • U.S. paid about 2 billion dollars (with a ‘b’) to the Allies, while Germany only borrowed 27 million. • If Allies could not pay back all the loans made to them by the American bankers, the US's economy could collapse.

  7. Politics and Propaganda • Propaganda from both sides • Woodrow Wilson did not want to go to war (as we read in his speech) but announced a preparedness program.

  8. Ideology – Beliefs • President Wilson wanted to make the world better for democracy • There seemed to be a moral reason - Britain and France were fighting the good fight for freedom against the “evil” Central Powers.

  9. The Zimmerman Note • The Zimmerman Telegram (sometimes called the "Zimmerman note" or "Zimmerman telegraph") finally pushed the US to war. • The Zimmerman Telegram was sent from the German foreign secretary to the German Ambassador to Mexico. • On the first of February, 1917, submarine warfare will be reinstated without restriction. • The US has to stay neutral. • Germany proposes an alliance with Mexico on the following basis: If the US goes to war, Mexico must fight on the home front in a financially supported alliance with Germany; If Mexico agrees to fight, they will re-conquer New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

  10. The Zimmerman Note – Cont’d • The telegraph was intercepted by British Intelligence and transmitted to the American government by the Brits. • This infuriated Americans. It was the same sort of alliance that plunged Europe into war.

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