From Neutrality to War
Was it in the national interest of
the United States to stay neutral
or declare war in 1917?
The Powder Keg
• System of alliances
• Central Powers;
Germany, AustriaHungary, the Ottoman
Empire
• Allied Powers;
France, Britain,
Russia
A European War
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Long term causes
Nationalism
Militarism
System of alliances
The spark; the
assassination of
Archduke Francis
Ferdinand
• Austria-Hungary
declares war on
Serbia
Policy of Neutrality
• Wilson’s policy
• We give loans and
sell weapons to both
sides
• 32 million Americans
are foreign born or
first generation
• Stalemate on the
Western Front
Challenges to Neutrality
• Stalemate on land
means need to
control the seas
• British blockade
• U-Boat
• Unrestricted
submarine warfare
• Lusitania
• Sussex Pledge
Preparedness, Promises, and
Propaganda
• Roosevelt promotes
preparedness
• A million man army
and a navy bigger
than Britain’s
• Both sides launch a
propaganda
campaign
• The Bryce Report
Propaganda Posters
German Propaganda
The ‘War to End All Wars’
• The Zimmerman Note
• In February, 1917
• The March, 1917
Revolution in Russia
• Bolshevik Revolution
in November, 1917
• Wilson goes to
Congress, April 2
• April 4 they declare
war