U.S. Neutrality and Entry into World War I

quiz 339-341

Neutrality Declaration

Wilson urged Americans to remain impartial during war.

Allied Sympathy

American support for Allies grew due to cultural ties.

Economic Trade

US traded more with Allies than Central Powers.

Quadrupled Exports

US exports to Allies increased nearly fourfold (1914-1916).

Credit Purchases

Allies bought war supplies from US on credit.

German Sabotage

German agents plotted attacks on US munitions factories.

Freedom of the Seas

US maintained right to trade as a neutral.

Submarine Warfare

German U-boats targeted American and Allied ships.

Military Zone Declaration

Britain declared North Sea a military zone.

Sussex Pledge

Germany promised not to sink ships without warning.

Contraband Items

Goods that can be seized in wartime.

British Cargo Seizures

Britain seized cargoes destined for neutral nations.

U-boat

German submarine used for warfare during WWI.

Wilson's Campaign Slogan

'He kept us out of war' during 1916 election.

Cultural Gratitude

Americans appreciated France's help in independence.

German Atrocities

Reports of German violence fueled American outrage.

Historical Respect

Americans respected British law and institutions.

Political Freedom

Allied victory seen as promoting global democracy.

War of 1812

Previous conflict over similar maritime issues.

Secretary William Bryan

Resigned over concerns about war declaration.

Final Break with Germany

Increased tensions led to US entering the war.

Election of 1916

Key moment in US history regarding war stance.

National Defense Act

Legislation to strengthen U.S. military forces.

Sussex Pledge

Germany's promise to limit submarine warfare.

Lusitania

British luxury liner sunk by German submarine.

War Zone Declaration

Germany declared British Isles area a combat zone.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Policy of sinking ships without warning.

Diplomatic Relations

Formal interactions between countries.

Merchant Vessel Safety

Requirement to protect passengers and crew.

Ramming Vulnerability

Submarines risk collision when surfacing.

German Government Justification

Claimed Lusitania carried munitions.

American Public Outrage

Increased calls for war after Lusitania sinking.

Wilson's Protests

Series of notes sent to Germany.

French Steamer Sussex

Sunk without warning, prompting U.S. warning.

Casualties of Lusitania

Over 1,000 people died, including Americans.

Congressional Response

Legislative body reacted to submarine threats.

International Law

Rules governing conduct between nations.

War Declaration Calls

Public demand for U.S. to enter war.

German Submarine Attacks

Sank merchant ships in war zone.

Wilson's Peace Efforts

Attempt to mediate and avoid conflict.

American Lives Lost

Significant casualties raised war tensions.

Munitions on Lusitania

Cargo included weapons, justifying German action.

Submarine Warfare Impact

Shifted American public opinion towards intervention.

German Pledge Stipulation

Conditioned on British adherence to international law.

Submarine Policy Shift

Germany ceased attacks after U.S. protests.

President Wilson

Elected for a second term in 1916.

Charles Evans Hughes

Republican candidate defeated by Wilson in 1916.

1916 Election

One of the closest elections in U.S. history.

Campaign Slogan

Wilson's slogan: 'He kept us out of war.'

National Defense Act

1916 act increasing army size and national guard.

$500 million authorization

Funding for battleships, destroyers, and submarines.

Council of National Defense

Organized to unify American resources for war.

Peace Without Victory

Wilson's call for equitable peace negotiations.

Limitation of Armaments

Wilson's proposal to reduce military weapons.

Freedom of the Seas

Wilson advocated for unrestricted maritime navigation.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's policy to sink ships without warning.

Zimmermann Note

Secret German proposal for Mexico to ally.

Lost Territory

Mexico's claim to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona.

Diplomatic Relations Broken

U.S. cut ties with Germany on February 3, 1917.

Merchant Ship Defense

Wilson ordered arming of American merchant vessels.

Overt Acts

Wilson's condition for declaring war on Germany.

American Merchant Ships

Four unarmed ships sunk by German submarines.

April 2, 1917

Wilson requested war declaration from Congress.

April 6, 1917

Congress declared war on Germany.

Associate Power

U.S. entered war to avoid entangling alliances.

Allied Cause

U.S. joined forces with Allies in World War I.

Mobilization

U.S. preparation for military action against Germany.