Learning Targets

1. Be able to explain why

tensions increased between
Germany and the United States
2. Decide which reasons
would be most important Ior each.
3. Analyze and evaluate the Lusitania sinking
and decide iI it could be avoided.
&.S. Neutral &ntil 1917
OU.S. had no real stake at Iirst, Iollowed
isolationism
President Wilson urged Be impartial
in thought as well as action.
Wilson was re-elected
In 1916 with the campaign slogan,
'He kept us out of
the war'`
of Americans ( million)
had one or more parents born
in Germany or Austria
&nrestricted Submarine Warfare
(&SW)
OSubmarines (u-boats) attack ships with arms &
supplies
OGermany did in response to
British blockade oI neutral ports
German &boat resumes &SW
750,000 German
deaths due to famine
Germans printed warnings
in newspapers
Which is more immoral- USW or a
blockade of civilian goods? Explain.
TICES I THE EWSPAPER
ould you buy tickets on the Lusitania?
ay 7, 1915: Sinking of the
Lusitania
O 128 Americans died; 1,198 killed total
$inking of the Lusitania. in 18 minutes
MEDIA REACTION$
The New York Times called the
Germans 'savages drunk with
blood.`
The German press "applauded
the attack as an extraordinary
success,"
The English Daily Mail
referred to it as "The Huns
Most Ghastly Crime."
1916: Sussex pledge
OGermany promises to stop USW
O A mistake?
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Stronger political & economic
ties w/ Allies
O more trade and loans to Allies
O traditional political links
1917: Value of &.S. Loans/Investments
W $2.7 billion with Allies
W $27 million with Central Powers
1914 &nited States Trade
$ 24. million to Allies
$ 169.3 million to Central Powers
1916 &nited States Trade
$ 3.2 billion to Allies
$ 1.2 million to Central Powers
ebruary 1, 1917: &SW resumes
W done to try to end stalemate
W Wilson cuts off relations w/ Germany
After sinking of the &.S.S. emphis ordered merchant ships to arm.
arch, 1917: Zimmermann
Note leaked to press
Osecret telegram oI possible alliance b/t
Germany& Mexico with G. promise oI
M, TX, and AZ
WAmericans outraged
ound out eb. 24
th
, but
Printed in papers in arch