- The document examines the causes of America's involvement in World War I, though the U.S. was officially neutral at first. - Germany sought Mexico's help in attacking the U.S. via the secret Zimmermann Telegram, promising Mexico land in return. - Growing tensions included German U-boats sinking American ships like the Lusitania, killing Americans, and restrictions on American trade by British and German blockades. - These factors contributed to the U.S. declaring war on the Central Powers in 1917.

1. Objective: To examine the causes of America’s
involvement in World War I.

2. American
Neutrality
· Officially, the U.S.
was a neutral
country.
· However, we traded
food, weapons, oil, st
eel, and other goods
far more with the
Allied Powers than
with the Central
Powers.

3. · Both the Allied Powers and
Central powers used
propaganda in order to
support their cause by making
their enemies seem savage.

6. Freedom of the Seas
· The U.S., as a
neutral
nation, claimed the
right to trade with
either side in the
war.
· However, Britain
and Germany set up
blockades around the
British and German
coasts.

7. · German submarines, called U-boats, torpedoed enemy ships
and neutral ships trading with the enemy.

8. A German U-boat Torpedoes a Steamer, circa 1916

10. · In 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a
British passenger ship, killing approximately 1,200 people,
including 128 Americans.

11. · Americans were infuriated with the destruction of the
Lusitania.

15. Moving Toward War
Zimmermann telegram:
– secret message from
Germany to Mexico
urging Mexico to attack
the U.S. if the U.S.
declared war on
Germany
– Germany promised to
help Mexico regain land
it lost to the U.S. in the
Mexican War.
* The U.S. declared war
on the Central Powers
in 1917.

16. (above) Zimmermann Telegram as
Received by the German Ambassador to
Mexico, 01/19/1917 (right) decoded words

17. Zimmermann
Telegram:
Decoded
Message

18. “Over There” Chorus
by George M. Cohan Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the
Johnnie, get your gun, word over there -
Get your gun, get your gun, That the Yanks are coming,
Take it on the run, The Yanks are coming,
On the run, on the run. The drums rum-tumming
Hear them calling, you and me, Ev'rywhere.
Every son of liberty. So prepare, say a pray'r,
Hurry right away, Send the word, send the
No delay, go today, word to beware.
Make your daddy glad We'll be over, we're coming
To have had such a lad. over,
Tell your sweetheart not to pine, And we won't come back till
To be proud her boy's in line. it's over
(chorus sung twice) Over there.

19. Johnnie, get your gun, Chorus
Get your gun, get your gun, Over there, over there,
Johnnie show the Hun Send the word, send the
Who's a son of a gun. word over there -
Hoist the flag and let her fly, That the Yanks are coming,
Yankee Doodle do or die. The Yanks are coming,
Pack your little kit, The drums rum-tumming
Show your grit, do your bit. Ev'rywhere.
Yankee to the ranks, So prepare, say a pray'r,
From the towns and the Send the word, send the
tanks. word to beware.
Make your mother proud of We'll be over, we're coming
you, over,
And the old Red, White and And we won't come back till
Blue. it's over
(chorus sung twice) Over there.