Ch 14: WWI and Its A/ermath 1914-­‐1920 Sec9on 1: The U.S. Enters WWI Woodrow Wilson’s Diplomacy •  Hated imperialism •  Wanted to focus on U.S. internal problems •  Wanted to ignore the rest of the world outside of the Americas –  Ex: Mexico, Nicaragua, Hai9, and the Dominican Republic Factors for Europe Going To War •  1. Alliance System •  When countries make agreements to protect each other. •  Triple Alliance-­‐Germany, Italy, and Austria-­‐Hungary vs. •  Triple Entente-­‐France, Russia, and Britain Factors for Europe Going To War •  2. Na9onalism •  A feeling of intense pride of one’s homeland •  European countries wanted to go to war to get more land for their own people (became greedy) •  Led to self-­‐determina9on-­‐different groups within a country wanted their own country –  Ex: Serbians in the Balkins Europe 1914 Serbia’s Desires in Europe •  Serbia –  Supported by Russia –  Hated by Austria-­‐Hungary who limited their growth –  Wanted to get Bosnia to join in the new Serbian country but Austria-­‐Hungary took it first. Archduke Franz Ferdinand •  Leader of Austria-­‐Hungary •  Visited Bosnia in 1914 •  Assassinated by a Serbian supporter as he rode in his car through the streets •  Serbia was blamed •  July 28, 1914 war was declared Alliance System Kicks In •  Austria-­‐Hungary asked Germany for support •  Serbia asked Russia for support •  If Russia went to war, France would help Russia •  Each country individually could not fight but with support from others became stronger Germany’s Plan Part 1 •  Planned to aaack/defeat France quickly and then aaack Russia separately •  Problem: –  To get to France, Germany aaacked neutral Belgium. –  This made Britain angry, so they joined the war on the side of France Europe 1914 Alliances Build Up •  Allies: –  France, Russia, Great Britain, Italy •  Central Powers: –  Germany, Austria-­‐Hungary, Oaoman Empire, and Bulgaria Germany’s Plan Part 2 •  Germany failed to capture France on the Western Front •  Germany was aaacked by Russia forcing the Germans to fight on two fronts American Viewpoints •  President Wilson-­‐America is neutral/staying out of the war •  Irish/German immigrants wanted to support Germany •  Most other groups supported Britain/France •  U.S. Military supported Britain •  U.S. public swayed by Bri9sh Propaganda American Viewpoints •  East coast companies and banks sent $2 billion to the Allies (Britain, France, and Russia) •  Midwest companies and banks sent $27 million to Germany –  U.S. Secretary of the Treasury limited these loans to Germany •  Money was used to buy weapons and support the war effort Ques9ons •  So, can we say that the United States was truly staying neutral in this war??? •  What do you think each side will do to the U.S. for giving the other side money??? Bri9sh Blockade •  Britain wanted to limit the supplies into Germany •  A blockade was set up •  Germany used U-­‐boats (small submarines) to aaack this blockade and any ship around Britain U-­‐Boat Aaacks •  The U-­‐boats were going to sink any ship, including non-­‐military boats •  Americans were outraged at this news •  May 7, 1915-­‐a U-­‐boat sank the cruise liner Lusitania. 1,200 people died including 128 Americans U-­‐Boat Aaacks •  Americans wanted revenge for the sinking of the Lusitania but the president gave a warning to Germany instead •  March 1916, a U-­‐boat sank a French cruise ship, Sussex, injuring many Americans on board •  Americans agree again •  Sussex Pledge-­‐Germany was afraid for the U.S. to enter the war so they agreed to stop aaacking civilian ships. Zimmerman Note •  A German official, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a message to another official in Mexico •  Message wanted Mexico to aaack the U.S. if the U.S. went to war with Germany •  If Germany won the war, it would give Mexico back the land the U.S. took a/er the Mexican-­‐
American War of 1848 Zimmerman Note Bri9sh gov’t intercepted the note Leaked to the U.S. newspapers Americans angry/wanted war Germany also started sinking American ships with U-­‐boats again •  April 6, 1917 Congress declared war against Germany • 
• 
• 
• 
Ques9ons •  If the U.S. declared war on Germany, who would they have an alliance with??? •  If Germany had not sent the Zimmerman Note and aaacked U.S. ships, do you think that the U.S. would have entered WWI??? Sources •  Textbook: The American Republic Since 1877 •  Pictures: Google Images