Objective To examine the causes of Americas involvement

Objective: To examine the causes of America’s involvement in World War I.

American Neutrality · Officially, the U. S. was a neutral country. · However, we traded food, weapons, oil, steel, and other goods far more with the Allied Powers than with the Central Powers.

Freedom of the Seas · The U. S. , as a neutral nation, claimed the right to trade with either side in the war. · However, Britain and Germany set up blockades around the British and German coasts.

· German submarines, called U-boats, torpedoed enemy ships and neutral ships trading with the enemy.

A German U-boat Torpedoes a Steamer, circa 1916

· In 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, killing approximately 1, 200 people, including 128 Americans.

· Americans were infuriated with the destruction of the Lusitania.

Moving Toward War Zimmermann telegram: – secret message from Germany to Mexico urging Mexico to attack the U. S. if the U. S. declared war on Germany – Germany promised to help Mexico regain land it lost to the U. S. in the Mexican War. * The U. S. declared war on the Central Powers in 1917.

(above) Zimmermann Telegram as Received by the German Ambassador to Mexico, 01/19/1917 (right) decoded words

Zimmermann Telegram: Decoded Message

April, 1917 US declares war on Germany

The End of the Fighting Germany knew America would increase the strength of Allied Powers A new German offensive • Wanted to deal decisive blow to Allied Powers before U. S. had time to ready for war • Opportunity came with Russia’s withdrawal from war – Russia out by end of 1917 – German troops no longer needed on Eastern front – Could launch new offensive in the west Assault on West • Launched major assault, March 1918 • Advanced to within 40 miles of Paris • Germany, lost 800, 000 troops • By June, 1918, U. S. troops arrived in Europe • Gave Allies hope, discouraged Germans

German Collapse Balance of power shifted • Allied forces stopped German assault in Second Battle of the Marne • Allies now on the offensive • Allies used tanks, aircraft; gained huge amounts of territory Germany a defeated force • Many Germans gave up without a fight • Began to doubt their own power • Great turmoil within German ranks End of war • Allied forces broke through Hindenburg Line • German leaders sought armistice with Allies • Other Central Powers also admitted defeat, war ended

A Difficult Peace Although peace had come to the battlefield, the leaders of the war’s major countries still had to work out a formal peace agreement. This task would prove difficult. • Wilson’s Fourteen Points • Over all goal to end this war and prevent future wars • End to secret treaties • Freedom of the seas • Free trade • Reduced armies and navies • Fairness towards colonial peoples • Suggestions for changing borders • Creating new nations • Self Determination • League of Nations • Leaders of four major Allies all had different ideas of peace treaty • French wanted to punish Germany, reparations for cost of war • British wanted to punish Germany, but not weaken it • Italy hoped to gain territory

The Treaty of Versailles After difficult negotiations, the Allies finally compromised with the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty was named after the French Palace of Versailles, where the treaty signing took place.

BIG FOUR of the PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

Aftermath League of Nations League of nations Key Points • Organization of world governments proposed by Wilson • Encourage cooperation, keep peace between nations • Established by Treaty of Versailles • U. S. did not ratify treaty, not member, weakened League Other treaties • Separate agreements with all defeated Central Powers • Made important changes to Europe • Germany excluded Changes in Europe • Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire lands broken apart • Independent nations created: Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Turkey

Military Casualties in World War I: 1914 -1918 Germany 1, 935, 000 United States 116, 516 Russia 1, 700, 000 Bulgaria 87, 495 France 1, 368, 000 Belgium 45, 550 Austria-Hungary Serbia 45, 000 1, 200, 000 Greece 23, 098 British Empire 942, 135 Portugal 8, 145 Ottoman Empire Montenegro 3, 000 725, 000 Japan 1, 344 Italy 680, 000 Romania 300, 000