German atrocities and Allied Propaganda; German invasion of Belgium and treatment of their people
U.S. closer to Britain and France; language, political system
U.S. had little or no contact with triple Alliance; only heard one side of story
Triple Alliance- Germany Austria-Hungary, and Italy; Triple Entente- Britain, France, and Russia
Sinking of Lusitania – May 7, 1915 more than 1000 passengers killed- 128 Americans, 94 children
Germany declares unlimited submarine warfare 1917- German leaders thought they could defeat Britain and France before U.S. could enter and be effective
Zimmerman Telegram- march 1917; Arthur Zimmerman German Foreign minister sends telegraph to Mexico telling them to join Germany and they will get Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back after war
Germany sinks several U.S. unarmed merchant ships-March 1917
Wilson Addresses congress and obtains declaration of War
Sedition Act; prohibited use of disloyal language; Supreme court in Schenck v. U.S. ruled that free speech could be restricted whenever a clear and present danger was evident.
War Industries Board- coordinated Americas wartime manufacturing
Food Administration- production and distribution of food; headed by Herbert Hoover
Railroad Administration- Gov’t took over the railroads
War Labor Board- mediated disputes between owners and workers
Germany lost its navy; army reduced to size of police force
Germans forced to sign “war guilt” clause accepting blame for starting war- had to pay massive reparations to allies
Austria-Hungary divided into smaller national states
Turkey became a republic; Ottoman empire lost most of its territories
U.S. rejects Treaty of Versailles and does not join League of Nations- signed separate peace treaty with Germany 1921
League of Nations; An organization of nations that would defend each other against aggressors- Wilson returned home from Versailles and needed 2/3 of senate to ratify the treaty. 1918 Republicans gained control of senate; They rejected the treaty