World War One: U.S. Involvement

US Involvement in WWI

• The US officially entered World War I in 1917, largely surrounding events at sea.

Public Opinion:

• Split between support for Allied Powers (Britain, France) and Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary).

• Factors for supporting Allies:

• Historical ties to Britain (common language, democracy).

• Factors for supporting Central Powers:

• Significant German immigrant population in the US.

Key Incidents:

• Battle of Tannenberg: Shifted momentum to Central Powers in Eastern Front.

• Lusitania (May 1915):

• British passenger ship sunk by German U-boats.

• Approximately 1,200 people died, including about 128 Americans.

• Shifted US public opinion against Germany, increasing support for Allies.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare:

• Germany's 1917 policy declaring that all ships are targets, raising risk of US involvement.

Zimmerman Telegram:

• Secret proposal from Germany to Mexico for military alliance against the US.

• Stated Mexico could regain Texas, New Mexico, Arizona.

• Intercepted by British; led to heightened outrage in the US.

US Declaration of War:

• After the Zimmerman Telegram and renewed submarine aggression, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on April 6, 1917.

Total War:

• US mobilization led to government control over industries, shifting production towards military needs (e.g., tanks, airplanes).

• Full societal effort to support the military action, marked by the concept of "total war."