DATE: __________________
THE US ENTERS THE GREAT WAR
AIM:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO NOW: “I DARE YOU TO COME OUT”
American Rights
National Honor
Freedom of the Seas
International Law

Who does the soldier standing on the platform
represent?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

What is the significance of the skull and
crossbones on the flag?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

What is the main idea of the cartoon?

Why didn’t the United States join the war after it broke out in 1914?

What do you think would have to happen for the United States to enter the war?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON
“The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men’s souls.
We must be impartial in thought, as well as action, must put a curb upon our sentiments, as well as upon
every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another.”
-President Wilson’s Declaration of Neutrality

Why did President Wilson send such a strong message of neutrality at the start of the war?

In the Election of 1916, Wilson’s campaign ran on the slogan “He kept us out of war!” Why will it be
hard for him to maintain this foreign policy as the war continues?
DATE: __________________

What is Germany threatening to do?

Why would Germany want to board, search, or destroy
Allied ships?

Why would the
Germans attack
the Lusitania?

Why would the
sinking of the
Lusitania threaten
US neutrality?

If you were
President Wilson,
how would you
respond to
Germany?

How do you
expect Germany to
respond?
WHEN THE LUSITANIA WENT DOWN (1915)
The nation is sad as can be,
A message came over the sea,
A thousand more, who sailed from our shore,
Have gone to eternity.
The Statue of Liberty high
Must now have a tear in her eye,
I think, it's a shame,
Some one is to blame,
But all we can do is just sigh!
Some of us lost a true sweet-heart,
Some of us lost a dear dad,
Some lost their mothers, sisters and brothers,
Some lost the best friends they had.

It's time they were stopping this warfare,
If women and children must drown,
Many brave hearts went to sleep in the deep,
When the Lusitania went down.
A lesson to all it should be,
When we feel like crossing the sea,
American ships, that sail from our slips,
Are safer for you and me.
A Yankee can go anywhere,
As long as Old Glory is there,
Altho' they were warned,
The warning they scorned,
And now must cry in despair
What is the message of this song?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you think this song is in favor of neutrality or US intervention? Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
DATE: __________________
US BANK LOANS TO FOREIGN NATIONS

YEAR
ALLIED POWERS
CENTRAL POWERS
1914
$500 MILLION
$300 MILLION
1915
$1.2 BILLION
$100 MILLION
1916
$3.15 BILLION
$35 MILLION
What would happen to the US economy if the Allied Powers were defeated in WWI?
During this time, the Preparedness Movement was sweeping through the country. The US increased
military spending and training. The National Defense Act increased the number of US soldiers and the Navy
Act increased funding for the navy.

Did building US troops ensure US entry into the war? Explain.
ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM – JANUARY 16, 1917
Arthur Zimmerman, the German foreign minister, wrote a coded telegram to the German Ambassador to
Mexico during the height of World War I. The message was intercepted by the British and sent to the US
government. Read the telegram below and answer the questions that follow.
“We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of
this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the vents of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a
proposal of alliance on the following basis; make war together, make peace together, generous financial
support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New
Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President (of Mexico) of the
above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain. …Please
call the President’s attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the
prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace.” Signed, Zimmerman



What is the German foreign minister prepared to offer Mexico if Mexico will go to war with the United
States?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why might Mexico consider such an offer?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
How would Americans react to this telegram?
DATE: __________________
WILSON’S WAR MESSAGE – APRIL 2, 1917
“The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against
mankind. It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk,
American lives taken, in ways which has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but
the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and
overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination.
The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will
meet it. The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of
counsel and temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives
as a nation. We must put excited feeling away. Our motive will not be revenge or
the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the
vindication of right, of human right, or which we are only a single champion. …
The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted
upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve.
We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no
material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of
the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure
as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.

According to Wilson, what has Germany done that led him to request a declaration of war?

What is the purpose of the war from Wilson’s perspective?

DISCUSS: What do you think is the most important reason the United States entered the war?
OVER THERE (1917) by George Cohan (3:28)
Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Take it on the run,
On the run, on the run.
Hear them calling, you and me,
Every son of liberty.
Hurry right away,
No delay, go today,
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.
(chorus sung twice)
Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly,
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit,


Chorus
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.
How is the listener supposed to feel when this song is played?
Based on this song, how will American involvement affect the war?
Answer aim:
NOTES
Show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks,
From the towns and the tanks.
Make your mother proud of you,
And the old Red, White and Blue.
(chorus sung twice)
DATE: __________________
I. World War I (1914-1918)
a. US stayed __________________ but loaned large sums of
_______________ to __________________ powers
II. US _________________ into World War I
a. British passenger ship ____________________ destroyed by German
_____________________
1. ___________ _____________________ __________________
b. ______________________ ______________________
1. German telegram asking for _________________
_______________ against US
2. Mexico would receive ____________ __________________ in
return.
c. ____________________________ ___________________ warfare
by Germany
d. US ___________________ ________________ - 1917
I. World War I (1914-1918)
a. US stayed NEUTRAL but loaned large sums of MONEY to ALLIED powers
II. US ENTRY into World War I
a. British passenger ship LUSITANIA destroyed by German U-BOAT
1. 128 AMERICANS KILLED
b. ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM
1. German telegram asking for MEXICAN SUPPORT against US
2. Mexico would receive LOST TERRITORIES in return.
c. UNRESTRICTED SUBMARIEN warfare by Germany
d. US DECLARED WAR - 1917