1. The document discusses the alliances and leanings of the United States during World War I, with Americans divided between sympathizing with Britain and Germany due to cultural and ethnic ties. 2. It also outlines the naval blockade imposed by Britain on Germany, Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare campaign, and the sinking of civilian ships like the Lusitania that increased pro-Allied sentiment in the US. 3. Trade relationships shifted greatly during this period, with US trade with the Allies like Britain skyrocketing as the US became an important supplier of munitions and raw materials, while trade with Germany declined sharply.

1. Alliances in Europe

2. World War I- US Neutrality August 14, 1914- President Wilson proclaims US neutrality Advantage- ability to trade with both sides

3. World War I- British Leanings Same language and similar culture Millions of Anglo-Americans Rape of Belgium (German Offensive) Angered American citizens and made them sympathetic to the Allied cause

4. World War I- German Leanings Millions of German-Americans Millions of Irish-Americans (anti-British)

5. British Naval Blockade of Germany Traditional definition of contraband Explosives, guns, and ammunition Brits began to confiscate all goods coming and going into Germany Starvation Blockade Total Warfare tactic to bring German citizens to their knees Employed close to German ports instead of a few miles out to sea (traditional style)

6. Unrestricted Sub Warfare Germans declared the waters around the British Isles a war zone Warned that any ship entering the war zone would be fired upon May 7, 1915- the sinking of the Lusitania British ship off the coast of Ireland 128 Americans on board (all of whom died)

7. The Arabic Pledge British non-military ship Arabic sunk with two more American casualties German ambassador to US made the Arabic pledge to not sink unarmed ships

8. The Sussex Pledge French non-military ship Sussex sunk in the English Channel Germans issue the Sussex pledge and stated that they would abide by international law (with their sub policy) Asked the US to get Britain to stop their “total warfare” blockade

9. US Trade with the Allies US had become the storehouse for England and the other Allied nations Munitions, food, and raw materials Eventually, the US banks loaned the Allies $2 billion 1914 to 1916- trade with Britain increased from $800 million to $3 billion 1914 to 1916- trade with Germany decreased from $170 million to $1 million

10. US Preparedness Wilson opposed preparing for war early on Republicans (led by TR) demanded the nation be prepared Wilson responded by preparing for war (had the 1916 presidential election to think about) November 1915- Wilson calls for a larger military and navy Appeased the Progressives (who called for continued neutrality) by passing more progressive legislation domestically

11. Campaign and Election of 1916 Democrat- Woodrow Wilson Slogan- “He kept us out of war” Republican- C harles Evans Hughes Wilson barely won the election by 23 electoral votes Congress swayed back to the Republicans which would cause problems for Wilson later

12. Zimmermann Note Letter from German foreign minister to German ambassador in Mexico Purpose- get Mexico to invade the US Reward- land lost to the US during the Mexican War Letter was intercepted by British and used by Wilson to get a bill passed in Congress to arm US merchant ships

13. US Declaration of War March 4, 1917- Wilson’s inauguration speech attempted to achieve peace for the nations at war Claimed preservation of an “armed neutrality” March 15, 1917- Fall of Czar Nicolas II of Russia March 18, 1917- Three US merchant ships are sunk by German subs April 2, 1917- Wilson asks Congress for permission to declare war on Germany

14. Wilson’s Fourteen Points January 1918- Defined the causes of WW I Outlined the solutions to avoid another world war, which included Open diplomacy (no more secret negotiations) Freedom of the seas would be restored Allowance for national self-determination of small nations around the world Creation of the League of Nations to preserve peace and insure justice