World War I: Path to American Involvement

The Sinking of the Lusitania

Date and Location: The Lusitania sank off the coast of Ireland in 1915 (not 1950).
Passenger Demographics:
- American passengers aboard, including vacationers and business travelers.
- Approximately 200 American lives were lost.
Cause of the Sinking:
- Attributed to Germany's use of unrestricted submarine warfare, aimed at weakening Britain by sinking ships with cargo to starve them into submission.
Violation of Maritime Law:
- The attack was considered a violation of international maritime law, targeting a civilian ship carrying military cargo.
- Some soldiers were indeed on board, as the vessel also transported military goods.
Consequences:
- This incident shifted public perception, casting Germany as the antagonist due to the loss of American lives.

Initial Stance: The U.S. initially aimed to stay neutral.
Persuasion for Change: The sinking incited public outrage, prompting the government to send a warning to Germany against further unrestricted submarine warfare.
Significance of Economic Power:
- The U.S. possessed latent military power, meaning it could mobilize quickly if it chose to enter the war.
- Germany wasn't motivated by moral considerations but the strategic fear of American intervention.

Context: As fighting continued into 1916, Germany sought ways to influence the war's direction due to a stalemate.
Content of the Telegram: Authored by German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman, it proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S. if America entered the war.
- Promised Mexico the return of lost territories: Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Secrecy and Interception:
- The telegram was intercepted by British intelligence, exposing Germany's intentions to the U.S.
Reaction from Mexico: The Mexican government rejected the proposal, affirming it did not want war with the U.S.

Public Revelation: The information reached the American public through newspapers, which heightened tension against Germany.
Consequence: The American government perceived Germany's actions as a threat to national security and heightened calls for war.

Date: April 2, 1917.
Justification for War: President Woodrow Wilson framed American involvement as essential for making the world safe for democracy.
Change in Strategy: Initially, Wilson sought to keep America above the fray but shifted to believing that participation was necessary for post-war peace and order.

Initial Army Size: The U.S. had approximately 380,000 troops before entering the war, ranking them near the bottom in military power.
Need for Draft: To raise the necessary forces (around 4 million), the government introduced the Selective Service Act to recruit men when voluntary enlistment did not yield sufficient numbers.
Draft Outcomes:
- By the draft's implementation, around 2.8 million men were mobilized.

Total War Concept: The war required the nation’s total participation, demanding that everyone contribute to the war effort, both military and civilian.
Propaganda Usage:
- The U.S. government actively engaged in propaganda to unify public support for the war through posters, messages, and patriotic appeals.
- Example slogans included urging citizens to buy war bonds and volunteer for military service.
Psychological Appeal of Propaganda:
- Designed to instill a sense of duty and obligation toward supporting the war effort.
- Promoted national unity and portrayed dissent as unpatriotic or harmful to military efforts.

Emotional Manipulation: Propaganda sought to provoke emotional responses to encourage enlistment and financial support.
Framework for Mobilization: Established a foundation for mobilizing public sentiment and behavior, which would carry over into future conflicts, solidifying the use of propaganda as a governmental tool in American history.