Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

German Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

• When did Germany give 8 hours notice that it intended to resume its unrestricted submarine warfare policy?

• Why was Germany confident in its ability to win WW1 with unrestricted submarine warfare?

• When did America break off diplomatic relations with Germany?

31st January 1917: Germany gave 8 hours notice that it intended to sink all ships found within the warzone around British waters

• Germany believed they could starve Britain into surrendering

• Germany gambled with the idea that if America entered the war as a result of the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, Britain and the Allies would surrender before American ships had crossed the Atlantic

• 3rd February 1917: Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

German Espionage Activities Within the US

• Where was Black Tom’s munitions plant located?

• When did Black Tom’s munition plant mysteriously explode?

• How much damage was caused as a result of Black Tom’s munitions plant exploding?

• Who was blamed for the mysterious explosion at Black Tom’s Munition plant?

• Was any action taken to prosecute anyone as a result of the explosion at Black Tom’s munition plant?

Some Germans were undoubtedly spying and committing acts of espionage within the USA.

The extent of German actions in the USA was exaggerated, but the presence of international traitors within the USA undoubtedly fuelled further resentment against Germany.

Black Tom’s Munition Plant

• Located in Jersey City Harbour

• Mysteriously exploded on 30 July 1916

• Caused $20 million worth of damage

• Smashed windows as far as sixteen miles away

• Some fragments from the explosion lodged into the Statue of Liberty

• Estimated that 2 million pounds of ammunition went up

• German saboteurs were blamed for the explosion but no one was ever brought to trial over the incident

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

The Zimmerman Telegram

• Who was the telegram being sent fron?

• Who was the telegram being sent to?

• What did the telegram say?

• Who intercepted the telegram?

• When was the telegram sent?

• What was ironic about the telegram?

To: German Ambassador to Mexico

From: German Foreign Secretary (Arthur Zimmerman)

Message: Told German Ambassador to create an alliance with the Mexican government whereby Mexico would join WW1 on the side of Germany in return for the land they had lost (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico)

Intercepted by: Britain who sent the telegram to the United States

Ironic: German Ambassador never got the telegram

NB: This was not the reason why America joined the war but more of a contributing factor

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

The US Declaration of War

• When was the US Declaration of War?

• What were the motives behind Wilson’s declaration of war?

~DECLARATION OF WAR~

April 1917

Wilson realised the USA had been provoked until its credibility was threatened

In February and March 1917, 1 million tons of Allied shipping was sunk by U boats

Wilson feared the Allies defeat was increasingly likely if the USA did not enter the war.

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

US WW1 Entry Historical Interpretation (Economic and Isolationist)

• What did the economic and isolationist historians argue was the main reason for America’s entry into the First World War?

• What opposition is given to these beliefs?

Argued that America had been swayed by a special relationship with big businesses including bankers and munitions manufacturers who would enjoy huge profits during war.

Historians justify this belief through the fact that exports to the Allies brought the USA out of Depression in 1914.

US exports doubled as a percentage of the GNP between 1914 and 1916, and 70% of them went to Europe.

Historians no longer tend to see economic reasons as significant. By 1916, the US economy was so healthy as a result of jumping into markets no longer met by the belligerents [nations involved in war] that, even if Allied trade had been severed, it would not have made a significance difference to US prosperity.

Topic 4, Lesson 7: Why did the US enter the First World War?

US WW1 Entry Historical Interpretations (Moral Crusade)

• What does this historical interpretation entail?

Harold Evans argued that Wilson followed a moral principle, believing the USA needed to fight in order to make the world a better place.

He contrasted Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt who, he argues, would have gone to war earlier than Wilson in order to defeat the aggressor. Wilson on the other hand went to war to destroy the old forms of diplomacy and introduce a new world order based on rights and respect for all peoples.

This is supported by Wilsonianism and Moral Diplomacy