World War I, From Neutrality to War

Militarism

A policy of glorifying military power and values.

U-boat

A undersea boat (submarine) used in WWI.

Stalemate

Deadlock, "nobody wins, everybody loses".

Propaganda

Information or rumor spread by a group or government to promote its own cause or ides or to damage an opposing cause or idea. The information may or may not be accurate.

What led the United States to declare war?

1. The breaking of the Sussex Pledge resulted in Wilson breaking diplomatic ties with Germany 2. The Zimmermann note caused anti-German sentiments in the US 3. Russia becomes democratic, therefore an appropriate ally for the United States to have.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.

Zimmermann note

A note written by Arthur Zimmermann suggesting that if the US entered WWI, Germany should become allies with Mexico. Germany would help win back lost Mexican territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.

Sussex Pledge

A promise Germany made to America, after Wilson threatened to sever ties, to stop sinking their ships without warning. The only condition was that the US had to force Britain to end its illegal blockade. Wilson accepted the pledge but not the condition.

Nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to a nation or ethnic group.

Why did Americans-at first-adopt a policy of neutrality in the war?

Americans adopted a policy of neutrality in WWI because the war didn't concern the United States. It was important for American to stay out of "entangling alliances". Staying out of the war also allowed the US to economically recover from a slowdown.

Central Powers

Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire

What were the challenges to American neutrality?

Challenges to American neutrality included the fact that 32 million citizens (1/3 of the population) were from foreign countries and had strong emotional ties to their homelands, which made it difficult for them to be neutral. Some people also had economic ties to Britain and/or France.

Allied Powers

Led by France, Britain, and Russia

Preparedness movement

Led by Roosevelt, the movement called for Americans to be prepared for entering WWI. This included improvements to the navy and military.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Submarines that could attack any merchant ship without warning.

Belligerent

Warring

What were President Wilson's responses to German provocation?

Wilson protested that "sinking merchant ships without protecting the lives of passengers and crews violated international law", and wrote a letter to Germany demanding that it stop unrestricted submarine warfare. After two subsequent attacks that left Americans killed and injured, Wilson threatened to break diplomatic relationships with Germany. This led the the Sussex Pledge, where Germany promised to spare all lives in U-boat attacks.