Handout One: The Road to United
States Involvement
inWorld War
I
It is the fall of 1914, and World War
I is raging in Europe. Twenty-five
for colonies has turned Europe
years of competition
into a jungle in which nations are struggling for survival, (Your textbook
identifies various causes of this war). You, however,
are an American,
across the Atlantic,
the struggle. Your group represents a state in the United
sitting peacefully
watching
In order for the United
States to declare war in our simulation,
two-thirds of the states must agree to enter
States Senate.
the war on the same side. For each year beginning
write one paragraph explaining:
in 1914 for which
you receive
background
information,
your group must
(1) Should the United States enterWorld War I?
whom
(2) Against
States
the United
should
war?
declare
(3) Why?
Your
answers
should
be logical
and persuasive.
BACKGROUNDEVENTS
]une
Austrian
1914?The
Ferdinand
Archduke
Europe. The assassin
Serbia. Serbia and Bosnia
as he visits
in southeastern
the Austrian
colony of Bosnia
small
and
trained
country of
neighboring
equipped by the
of Slavic descent, and they would like to join together as a Slavic
is assassinated
who was
is a Bosnian
Serb revolutionary
are both populated with people
homeland.
in Bosnia. Serbia refuses to obey
support ofthe Slavic revolution
war
on Austria. Austria
with her ally, Russia. Austria declares war on Serbia. Russia declares
appeals for help
to her ally, Germany. Germany
declares war on Russia and Serbia. Russia asks her allies, England and France, for help. They
look as follows:
and Austria. The battle lines in Europe, therefore,
respond by declaring war on Germany
demands
1914?Austria
]uly?August
after consulting
an end to Serbian
ALLIEDPOWERS
CENTRALPOWERS
Russia
Germany
England
=
Turkey
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman
Empire
France
Serbia
are committed
to neutrality. The general rules
by the war. We would like to avoid it.We
in 1909. The only nation at war which
in London
in times of war had been adopted at a conference
was England. This "Declaration"
stated that:
to sign the "Declaration
of the Rights of Neutral Nations"
The United
States
neutral
governing
had refused
is shocked
nations
the right to trade any product with any other neutral nation during a time of war.
the
(like food) with any nation during a time of war.
(2) Any
products
right to trade any non-military
with any nation during a time of war.
to
financial
and
loans
agreements
arrange
(3) Any neutral nation has the right
on board before
(4) Before attacking any non-military
ship, a naval warship must stop the ship and evacuate all passengers
sinking the ship.
(1) Any
neutral
nation
neutral
nation
has
has
States will remain neutral during the
has repeatedly
stated during the last few weeks that the United
On August
to respect "The Declaration
of Rights of Neutral Nations."
war and that he expects all warring nations
4th, he
...
as
as
in
action
to
in
well
a
be
to
Americans
He
neutral
U.S.
be
urges
thought
country.
"impartial
officially declares the
as
as
German-Americans
not
like.
would
Wilson
neutral
feel
do
in fact as well as name." Many Americans
neutral
(mostly
other
Powers.
the
Central
in
Eastern
in
Irish-Americans
and
the
Many
cities)
support
Midwest)
(mostly living
living
customs.
have
factors
Different
and
ties
of
of
traditional
because
Americans
might
language, heritage
support England
are
make
on
state
hints
war
The
from.
which
your
may help you
influenced your opinions about the
you
following
depending
President Wilson
decisions.
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of History
October
2002
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Remember:
wars worth
would
What
for the American
people?
for soldiers?
for the soldiers'
are
families? When
fighting?
New York:
New York City
Your
to war mean
going
state's
is the biggest port in the world
economy
on
depends
trade
with
as well
Europe
is the home of myriad groups of immigrants
New York City
politics of the city.
as
manufacturing.
including a large contingent
of Irish who are heavily
involved
in the
Massachusetts:
Your
state's
economy
on
depends
trade
with
Europe.
Your state has always had strong ties with Great Britain.
in Boston which dominates
There is a very large Irish community
is
One of your U.S. Senators
Republican Henry Cabot Lodge.
the city's politics.
New
Jersey:
Your state's economy is based on manufacturing
(including making war supplies) and trade.
Woodrow Wilson
used to be governor of New Jersey.
Many immigrants live inNew Jersey and work inNew Jersey's factories.
North Carolina:
Your state's economy
is based on agriculture
(used to make uniforms?),
and textiles
(tobacco)
and some products are exported
to
Europe.
A major U.S. shipping route is just off of your coast.
North Carolina Congressman Claude Kitchin said in 1915: "When people discover
increase
in the
Your
state
and
army
is fairly
navy,
will
preparedness
not
so
be
with
popular
as
them
that the income tax will have
to pay for the
it is now."
conservative.
Illinois:
Chicago has many different kinds of immigrants including Irish, Polish, Germans, Slavs, etc.
Your state's economy depends on the railroad and the Great Lakes. Chicago
is the great link between East and West.
industries
include
meatpacking,
Jane Addams's
is in Chicago. What
Hull House
Important
etc.
manufacturing,
did she think?
Wisconsin:
Your
state
Your
state
a
mostly
is the most
Your
state
is home
One
has
of your U.S.
agricultural
to many
economy.
state
Progressive
in the
and
country
is very
concerned
with
continuing
the
reform
movement.
German-Americans.
is progressive Robert LaFollette.
Senators
Nebraska:
Your
state's
economy
on
depends
agriculture,
in your state include William
Key politicians
and
because
of
a demand
for exports,
your
farmers
are
prospering.
Jennings Bryan and progressive Senator George Norris.
Texas:
Your
state's
is based
economy
Your state borders Mexico,
on
cattle,
cotton,
and
oil.
and you fear that the unrest there might
spread into Texas.
California:
Your
state
has
a
mostly
agricultural
economy.
Your state has a lot of trade with Asia
Your
state
borders
Your
state
has
and most Asian
imports to the United
States come through California.
Mexico.
a lot of progressive
reformers.
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of History
October
2002
51
Two:
Handout
State:
1914
members:
Group
1.Germany invades France through neutral Belgium even though Germany and Belgium had signed a treaty guaranteeing German
respect for Belgian neutrality. Allied propaganda claims that the Germans committed atrocities in Belgium. Only the miraculous Allied
at
victory
the Marne
saves
River
Paris.
2. England sets up a total blockade of Germany and major neutral European ports.
a. England severely limits the types of goods allowed into neutral ports.
b. England diverts any suspect contraband cargoes to England and frequently confiscates
them, although usually paying for each
shipload.
c. England
d. England
information intended for Germany.
interferes with American mail to intercept military and economic
cuts the telegraph link between Germany and the U.S. so all war news must come through England. British
newspapers begin to report on German atrocities in Belgium such as chopping off the hand of babies, attacking nuns &
destroying
universities.
e. England
Most
Americans
forbids British citizens
are
skeptical
about
these
stories.*
from doing business with Americans
accused of violating
England's
rules on trade with
Germany.
Americans protest this blockade, Sir Edward Grey points out that the British are just following
by the U.S. in the Civil War.
f.When
3. England begins
to increase dramatically
its trade with
the United
the practice established
States.
ended his policy of "watchful waiting" with Mexico and ordered U.S.
4. InApril, prior to the war, Wilson's
Mexican
city of Veracruz to prevent a German shipment of weapons from reaching Mexico's de facto president
Huerta. Nineteen Americans
and one hundred twenty-six Mexicans were killed in the fighting. Argentina, Brazil
a settlement of the conflict to prevent war. Huerta stepped down in July, and Venustiano Carranza (whom Wilson
over. In November,
Should
the United
If so, on whose
Why
*
withdrew
Wilson
troops.
States enter the war?
side?
or why not?
the war Americans
discover
52 OAH Magazine of History
October
After
the American
to seize the
General Victoriano
and Chile mediated
had supported) took
marines
that most of these stories were false the result of Allied
2002
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wartime
propaganda.
State:
Handout Three: 1915
Group members:
1.Trench warfare develops on theWestern Front. Millions die in "senseless" fighting. Even though the French do not advance more
than three miles in the entire year, over a million and a half Frenchmen are killed.
2. On February 4,1915, Germany declares awar zone around the British Isles inwhich their submarines will operate freely. Germany
insists that under international
inAmerican newspapers urging Americans not to travel on British ships.Wilson
places advertisements
lawAmericans have the right to travel on any ship. He warns Germany that itwill be held accountable for any loss of American
ships
or
lives.
a. On March
28, the British merchant
ship Falaba is sunk in the Irish Sea. One American drowns.
lose their lives.
b. On May 1, the American
tanker Gulflight is sunk off the English coast. Two Americans
c.On May 7, the British luxury liner Lusitania
is sunk off the coast of Ireland. 1,198 people die including
(a ship similar to the Titanic)
are outraged. Wilson
128 Americans. Americans
demands an apology and reparations. The Germans point out that they warned
not
Americans
the
the
ship
repeats his demands
June,Wilson
on
on
to travel
issue
and
d. On August
the
joins
peace
and
that
it was
carrying
arms
in stronger terms. Secretary
as a private
movement
19, the British passenger
liner, Arabic,
and
ammunition.
of State William
They
also
Jennings Bryan
claim,
that
incorrectly,
it was
resigns in protest unwilling
armed.
In
to risk war
citizen.
is sunk and two Americans
are killed. Germany
responds by paying an indemnity
and
e. On September
for
the
rescue
of
the
1, it issues the Arabic
Pledge
promising
to sink no more passenger
ships without
a warning
and without
providing
passengers.
3. Great Britain extends its blockade and announces that itwill seize vessels carrying goods to or from Germany wherever they are
found. In addition, it severely restricts U.S. trade with neutral countries in Europe. England also continues to increase its purchase of
lifts all loan restrictions and U.S. bankers arrange
many tons of supplies from the United States. Fearing a possible depression, Wilson
a $500 million
4. U.S.
envoy
loan to Britain and France.
House's
Colonel
Should the United
If so, on whose
Why
attempts
to mediate
the
conflict
are not
seriously
considered
by
the
combatants.
States enter the war?
side?
or why not?
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of History
October
2002
53
1916
Four:
Handout
State:
members:
Group
1.Trench warfare continues on theWestern Front. At the Battle of the Somme, which
than all the Americans killed in the Civil War. German zeppelins begin to bomb London.
lasts five months,
more Germans
are killed
violates the Arabic pledge by sinking the French liner, Sussex, on March 24. Two Americans are injured. Germany
and inMay pledges that itsU-Boats will not sink any passenger or merchant
ships (the Sussex pledge).
2. Germany
apologizes
3. American
trade dramatically increases with England. Between 1914 and 1916 . . .
a. U.S. export of munitions
to England increased from $40 million to $1.3 billion
b. U.S. trade with Britain and its allies has grown from $800 million to $3 billion.
c. U.S. loans to Allied governments reached $2.3 billion compared to loans of $27 million
d. Britain blacklists U.S. firms they suspect of dealing with the Central Powers
to the Central
again
Powers.
trusted adviser Colonel House). Eventually House
4. Britain drags their heels on U.S.'s offer of mediation
(again offered byWilson's
and Sir Edward Grey issue the House-Grey Memorandum which says that if England and France call for a peace conference and the
Central Powers refuse, the U.S. would probably join the Allies. British troops put down the Irish Easter Rebellion
(an attempt to win
so
independence)
5. Wilson
campaign
at any
time
wins
that most
severely
a very
close
Americans
reelection
campaign
are
on
outraged.
a
platform
slogan is: "He kept us out of war!" Privately Wilson
by
some
calculated
of social
legislation,
and war
neutrality
points out that "any little German
His
preparedness.
lieutenant
most
famous
can put us into the war
outrage."
6. Pancho Villa, a former bandit and rebel general, leads a rebellion against President Carranza inMexico. His troops repeatedly
attacked across the border into the U.S., and inMarch burned the town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing many Americans. Wilson's
response is to order General John Pershing to lead an army of 6,000 men across the border to chase after Villa. Villa evades his pursuers
and
attacks
across
the
border
Should the United
If so, on whose
again.
When
Pershing
invades
Mexico
again
American
up
clashing
with
Carranza's
States enter the war?
side?
^ii^i^sirir,>*<'?>^.
Why
end
troops
?
-^?""""
^ '?- J-
**
"lew1
or why not?
"I've had enough!" Uncle Sam shouts as he jumps over the fence
Pancho Villa back into Mexico.
The ruins of Columbus,
to chase
in the background
after Villa's forces attacked
N.M., smolder
between
8 and 9 March
1916.
10
(Drawn by Clifford Berryman,
March 1916. NARA NWL^6-BERRYMAN-A076)
54
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of History
October
2002
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forces.
Five:
Handout
without
on
the
to be guaranteed
and
army
lose
I and to prevent future wars. President Wilson's
the war.
to all nations
(in other words, an end to colonies).
navy.
by all countries of the basic concept of the rights of neutral nations
d. recognition
all
size of a nation's
or
win
should
country
victory?no
b. the right of self-determination
c. a limit
members:
Group
made public his proposals for a fair peace to endWorld War
1.On January 22,Wilson
Peace Plan called for
a. peace
State:
1917
and the freedom of the seas for ships of
countries.
e. no
secret
f. A
alliances.
of
league
to
nations
insure
in the
peace
future
and
for
democracy
all nations.
2. On January 31, Germany (gambling that it can win the war before the U.S. gets involved) announces it is resuming unrestricted
submarine warfare, effective the next day. Any ship in the war zone will be sunk. On February 3rd,Wilson breaks off diplomatic relations
with Germany. The same day an American
ship is sunk.
3. On
German
between
The
March
1, news
Foreign Secretary
the U.S.
March
Zimmermann
15,
Germany. Germany
a
In return
breaks
Telegram
to the German minister
and Germany.
telegram had been
4. On
now
ofthe
for her
inMexico
involvement,
intercepted by British Secret Service
popular
would
and
democratic
revolution
in the American
press.
Mexico
would
be
the
Tsar
able
wireless
This
telling him to offer Mexico
telegram
was
a message
an alliance and financial
to "recover"
Texas,
New
from
the
aid in case of war
Mexico
and Arizona.
agents.
overthrows
then be able to fight on only one front, combining
of Russia.
Russia
seems
its armies for a final overwhelming
close
to
surrendering
assault. The Allies
to
are
all democracies.
5. On March 16,German submarines sink three American merchant ships in the North Atlantic. Six Americans are killed. Two more
American
addressed a special session of both houses ofCongress and asked
ships are sunk later in the month. On April 2,1917, Wilson
Congress
for a declaration
of war.
Should the United
If so, on whose
Why
States enter the war?
side?
or why not?
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October
2002
55
On April
declaration
2, 1917, Wilson
he
2.When
Norris
4. Should
Senator
George
did the United
the United
5. Could Wilson
the United
and asked Congress
for a
of war.
1. List at least five points
3.Why
56
addressed a special session of both houses of Congress
States
OAH Magazine
have
trying
States
States
should have made
gave a speech
enter
have
in his
opposing
speech.
the war, what
points
should he have made?
the war?
entered
the war?
for this situation-a
there any precedents
kept us out of the war? (HINT: Were
in Europe?)
to stay neutral but still trying to trade with the warring nations
of History
October
2002
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war
in Europe with