HF:
WWBAT:
Name:
Date:
SS
US’ Entrance into WW1:
1. How had immigration
impacted the United States
in the 1900’s?
2. What role may US
factories play in WW1?
3. What did President Wilson
feel the US should do in
WW1?
4. Why will the Treaty of
Versailles create WW2?
5. When and how did women
gain the right to vote?
Germany felt unfairly punished.
Women gained suffrage (the right to vote) in
1920 with the 19th amendment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Essential Question: Under what circumstances does it become necessary to get involved in foreign affairs?
Placard A
The Zimmermann Note
The United States of America cut off diplomatic negotiations with Germany in 1916.
In1917, British code-breakers deciphered a telegram from the German Foreign
Minister, named Arthur Zimmermann that was being sent to the German
ambassador in Mexico. In the telegram, Zimmerman promises the restoration of
historically Mexican territories in the USA back to Mexico in exchange for support.
Some of these territories include Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Commented [CDE1]:
(This is the English translation of the Zimmerman telegram from Germany to Mexico.)
To the German Minister to Mexico
Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, itis
our intention to endeavour to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not
successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make
war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is
understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and
Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement...You are instructed to inform the President of
Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an
outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own
initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the
same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the
President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to
compel England to make peace in a few months.
Zimmermann (Secretary of State)
Placard B
The Sussex Pledge
In this 1916 agreement, Germany agreed to disengage the policy of unrestricted
submarine warfare against ships carrying civilian passengers. The Germans even
agreed to allow the safe evacuation of crew members on ships carrying military
supplies before attacking the ship. As the war progressed, the German navy began
to determine that military success would depend on breaking supply lines to the
Triple Entente. By this time, German strategists started to consider the USA as a
power that was not truly neutral. American vessels had been transporting supplies to
Britain for some time. In 1917, Germany announced that unrestricted submarine
warfare would be resumed. Weeks later, President Woodrow Wilson announced that
he had broken diplomatic relations with Germany.
Placard C
The Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner. On 7 May 1915, a German submarine
torpedoed and destroyed the vessel near the west coast of Ireland. Germans had
been suspicious that the ship, coming from the USA, was carrying supplies for the
British war effort. Their suspicion was justified when supplies were later found
on the Lusitania. Almost 2000 passengers were on board. About half of them
died as a result of the attack, including more than 120 American civilians.
Placard D
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany believed that neutral ships, including those coming from the USA, had
been transporting goods and supplies to Triple Entente powers. The German military
resorted to unrestricted submarine warfare, which means that the German
submarines would attack any ship that was suspected of aiding members of the
Triple Entente. President Wilson cut off diplomatic ties with Germany in hopes of
deterring the practice of unrestricted warfare. By March of 1917, several American
ships had been destroyed by German torpedoes. The US Congress declared war on
Germany in April 1917.
Placard E
Treaties and Alliances
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance or Central Powers in
the late nineteenth century. Great Britain, France, and later Russia began to feel
pressured by this collaboration. Together, these three states formed the Triple
Entente or the Allied Powers. Although the USA did not enter the war until 1917, they
had been supplying goods to the members of the Triple Entente.