This document discusses key events that changed American foreign policy and led to US entry into WWI: - The sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania by a German submarine in 1915, killing 128 Americans, increased tensions with Germany - The discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram in 1917, where Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico if the US entered the war against Germany, further angered Americans - In a 1917 speech to Congress, President Woodrow Wilson argued that the US could no longer remain neutral given Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, and that the world must be made safe for democracy, signaling America's entry into the war.

1. Lusitania
&
The Zimmerman Note
MAST HS
US HIS – Period 4
Ms. Richardson

2. AIM: How did the sinking of the
Lusitania and discovery of the
Zimmerman note change American
foreign-policy?
SWBAT analyze the reasons for the
United States entry into WWI.

3. Main Causes of WII
•M – Militarism
•A – Alliances
• I – Imperialism
•N - Nationalism

4. • British leaders decided to use
their navy to blockade Germany
to keep essential goods from
reaching the other country.
• Germany responded by
attempting to blockade Britain
and began sinking Allied ships
using its U-boats, or submarines.

5. Sinking of the R.M.S. Lusitania
• British ship sunk by a
German submarine on May
7th, 1915.
• 1,191 passengers on board
were killed, including 128
Americans.
• Ship was carrying weapons
and other contraband.

6. The Zimmermann Note
January 1917
• Proposed an alliance Between Germany
and Mexico.
• If the US declared war on Germany,
Mexico should declare war on the United
States.
• Shocked Americans

7. Document B: Woodrow Wilson Speech
Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent
people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare
against commerce is a warfare against mankind.
The German policy has swept every restriction aside. Ships of
every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, have
been ruthlessly sent to the bottom of the ocean without
warning.
Neutrality is no longer possible or desirable where the peace of
the world is involved. The world must be made safe for
democracy.
Source: President Woodrow Wilson, in a speech before Congress, April 2, 1917.

8. R.A.F.T
• Role of the Writer: Who are you as the writer? A
movie star? The President? Student?
• Audience: To whom are you writing? A
senator? Yourself? A company?
• Format: In what format are you writing? A diary
entry? A newspaper?
• Topic: What are you writing about?

9. R.A.F.T
• Role of the Writer: Yourself (1917)
• Audience: ______________
• Format: Letter or Journal Entry
• Topic: Why America should or should not stay
neutral in WWI.

10. Terms and Conditions
• Write no less than four paragraphs.
• Must include: neutrality/foreign policy,
Lusitania, and Zimmerman note.

11. SAMPLE
March 11, 1917
Dearest Abigail,
I hope this letter greets you with good health
and fortunes. I am writing to you about the war
in Europe as I believe my worst fears will soon
be confirmed and America will enter the war.
President Wilson stated we will be neutral,
however, with the sinking of the Lusitania and
discovery of the Zimmerman note I fear
neutrality is no longer possible.