Innovations in Warfare Massproduced weapons Submarines Uboats Poison
Innovations in Warfare � Mass-produced weapons � Submarines (U-boats) � Poison gas � Tanks � Airplanes � Machine guns
The U. S. at the Start of WW 1 The Monroe Doctrine: �Told European nations to stay out of the Western hemisphere �Also said the U. S. would stay out of European events �“You mind your business, we will mind our business”
The U. S. at the Start of WW 1 �The U. S. adopted a policy of isolationism or neutrality Did not pick either side and decided to stay out of the war
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare �Germany’s policy of using U-boats to sink any and all ships in the waters surrounding Great Britain Sunk an average of two British ships each day in 1915
Sinking of the Lusitania � 1915: German U-Boats sunk the Lusitania Part of their policy of unrestricted Submarine Warfare Secretly carrying war supplies to Great Britain Killed 1, 200, including 128 Americans American public outraged
Zimmerman Telegram � German minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to the Mexican government asking Mexico to join Germany in a war against the U. S. � In return, Germany would help Mexico reclaim land lost before and after the Mexican-American War � President Woodrow Wilson realized war was inevitable and asked Congress for a declaration of war
Two Sides ALLIED POWERS CENTRAL POWERS �United States �Britain �Russia �France �Austria-Hungary �Germany �The Ottoman Empire
The United States Mobilizes �The Selective Service Act Passed by Congress in 1917 Required all men to register with the government Created a database used to randomly select men for military service ▪ About 10% of those registered were drafted ▪ Only 2/3 of those drafted (about 2 million) sent to Europe
The United States Mobilizes � Segregation in the military � 400, 000 African American men enlisted More than half experienced combat � 369 th Infantry saw more conflict than any other African American regiment 2 men earned the “Croix de Guerre” (France’s Medal of Honor)
The United States Mobilizes �Women were not allowed to fight on the front lines �Many women participated in noncombat roles Secretaries Nurses Telephone operators
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