World War ITurning Points
in 1917
Russian Revolution
• Why did it happen?• Remember Tannenberg
• social conditions• 9,000,000 casualties!
Why Does the Russian Rev Matter?
• No Russia, no two front war
• Russia loses a lot of land
• first socialist revolution--ever!
U.S. Involvement in World War I
Initial Response in the United States
• Confusion?
• Citizens had divided loyalties
• Goal: Isolation and Neutrality
Was the U.S. Really Neutral?
• Yes
• was not part of any alliance
• lent money and sold goods to both sides
• No
• many citizens thought Germany was barbaric
• lent more money to the Allies: $2.2 billion versus $30 million
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson• thought war would end quickly
• 1916 re-election: “He kept us out of war”
• So why does the U.S. get involved???
Reason #1Brutality of German military
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
• Sinking of the Lusitania May 7, 1915
• Sussex Pledge May 10, 1915
Reason #2: Zimmerman Telegram
Zimmerman Telegram Decoded
*Look*--->
Reason #3: Financial
• U.S. lent over $2 billion to the Allies
• What if the Allies lose?
Reason #4: Identity• U.S. power and influence is growing
• If Germany is barbaric, then what is the U.S.?
• “war to end all wars”
• “make the world safe for democracy”
U.S. Declares War--April 1917• Draft
• Propaganda--Committee on Public Information
• Initial impact on the war
• Sedition Act (1918)
U.S. Propaganda