World War I

1
World War I

• America Joins the Fight

2
US Neutrality

• Many Americans were of German and British decent
• US policy of neutrality made trade possible

3
US Neutrality

• The country was torn between the two sides and
  who to support
• US could trade freely with Germany and Britain
  during the war, boosting the American economy

4
Russian Revolution

• Russian economy is in ruins
• People are war weary over huge loss of life
• Czar Nicholas and family are killed by the
  revolutionaries
• Communist leader Lenin takes over

5
Russian Revolution

• Russia and Germany declare a truce March 1918
• Germany sends all of its troops to the Western
  Front
• Germans advance
• to the Marne River

6
Lusitania

• 1917 German policy of unrestricted submarine
  warfare- sink any ship in waters around England
  without warning
• May 7, 1915 Lusitania is sunk with 128 Americans
  onboard

7
Lusitania

• American public is outraged
• Germany eventually agrees to stop attacking
  neutral ships, but later starts attacking again
  in 1917

8
Zimmerman Telegram

• Germany sends Mexico a telegram encouraging them
  to declare war with America to regain lands lost
  earlier
• The telegram is intercepted by the United States

9
Zimmerman Telegram

• American opinion is turned against Germany and
  favorable to the British and allies

10
US Enters War

• US economic ties and historical bond was much
  stronger with England and public opinion favored
  war with Germany
• President Wilson wanted to avoid war at all costs
  but was forced to declare war

11
US Enters War

• Balance of the war tipped in favor of the Allies
• Infusion of fresh troops and supplies to the
  battle lines favored the Allies