Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War Message Power point

• When war erupted in Europe during the summer of 1914, few Americans

• President Woodrow Wilson declared the United States neutral “in thought as well

• Powerful cultural and family ties connected many Americans to Great Britain. Tower

• Economists and industrialists viewed European trade as the key to boosting a

• At the same time, millions of Americans of German or Irish descent

• Pacifists, Progressives, and Socialists opposed war on moral grounds and feared that

• Although Americans remained divided in their opinions of the war, the desire

• German U-boat attacks, especially the sinking of the Lusitania with many Americans

• At first, the Wilson administration persuaded the Germans to suspend unrestricted submarine

• In 1916, Wilson won reelection, vowing to keep America out of the

• Within months, desperation compelled the Germans to resume unrestricted submarine attacks. http:

• Convinced that U. S. involvement in the war could ensure a “peace

• “The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.

• “Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion…but only the

• “I advise that the Congress… exert all its power and employ all

• “Neutrality is no longer feasible… The world must be made safe for

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Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War Message Power point created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II: Since 1865, Laura A. Belmonte nhs. needham. k 12. ma. us

• When war erupted in Europe during the summer of 1914, few Americans were eager to participate. http: //www. flickr. com/photos/65817306@N 00/62819212/

• President Woodrow Wilson declared the United States neutral “in thought as well as in action. ” But maintaining neutrality proved quite difficult. http: //sky. prohosting. com/tinman 4 u/interests. htm

• Powerful cultural and family ties connected many Americans to Great Britain. Tower Bridge in London. http: //www. flickr. com/photos/biluu_72/2291537475/

• Economists and industrialists viewed European trade as the key to boosting a slow economy. http: //www. ampneycrucis. f 9. co. uk/Ships 1920 s/photoindex. htm

• At the same time, millions of Americans of German or Irish descent felt no affinity (love) for the British. German Immigrants http: //www. flickr. com/photos/idswart/138360714/

• Pacifists, Progressives, and Socialists opposed war on moral grounds and feared that U. S. entry into the conflict would end social reforms at home. Socialist presidential candidate - Eugene Debs http: //www. bibliotecapleyades. net/sociopolitica/esp_sociopol_fed 06 d. htm

• Although Americans remained divided in their opinions of the war, the desire for expanded international trade and a bias against the Central Powers soon drew the United States into the conflict. http: //www. flickr. com/photos/waterclock/318923102/

• German U-boat attacks, especially the sinking of the Lusitania with many Americans onboard, generated popular demands for vengeance. http: //flatrock. org. nz/topics/history/plan_for_quick_victory. htm

• At first, the Wilson administration persuaded the Germans to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare against ships traveling to Great Britain. http: //www. dutchsubmarines. com/pictures_m 1_1910 s_1920 s. htm

• In 1916, Wilson won reelection, vowing to keep America out of the war.

• Within months, desperation compelled the Germans to resume unrestricted submarine attacks. http: //www. gwpda. org/photos/seashipc. htm

• Convinced that U. S. involvement in the war could ensure a “peace without victory, ” Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917. http: //www. vccs. edu/vwhansd/HIS 122/Lectures 2. html

• “The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a war of all nations. American ships have been sunk. ” http: //inventors. about. com/library/inventors/blperiscope. htm

• “Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion…but only the vindication of right…” http: //www. shahbazi. org/pages/bushfamily 2. htm

• “I advise that the Congress… exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the Government of the German Empire to terms and end the war…” http: //www. worldwar 1. com/tripwire/smtw. htm

• “Neutrality is no longer feasible… The world must be made safe for democracy. ” http: //www. militaryspecialtiesinc. com/web/Books/ww 1 Hist&Memoirs/Army. Boys. On. German. Soil. htm