The US Enters the War

Group #3

Rachel Jensen, Karthik Vasan,

Mo Siddiqui, Sahil Joshi

Lusitania

Luxury cruise liner

Innocent civilians were killed (European and American)

Supposedly carrying weapons

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Merchant ships were being sunk

Countless innocent people were being killed

Made the transport of supplies difficult

The Zimmerman Note

Germany offered an alliance with Mexico in return for keeping the US out of the warBerlin, January 19, 1917“On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is 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.”

Allies

US was already supplying the Allied Powers with guns, food, and other products

Overlooked Britain’s blockade from early on in the war

Had close ties to the European nations in the Central Powers

End of Isolationism

Early on America had vowed to stay out of the war, but sentiments began to changeNationalism– “Over There” by George

M. Cohan– “Johnnie get your gun, get you 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.”

The Test

The US wanted to establish themselves as an equal to BritainTime to prove the US could be an international powerShow Europe that America meant business