-
British Naval Blockade
Britain uses its naval strength to block the German coast; preventing weapons, military supplies and (later) food from getting through. About 750000 Germans starved to death and American ships were kept from trading with Germany. -
Period: to
The United States & World War I
-
Lusitania Sinking
Germany's response for the British Naval Blockade was the use of submarines (U-Boats). One of those sank the British Liner Lusitania - of the 1198 people killed, 128 were Americans. -
Arabic Sinking
Another British Liner sank by an U-Boat. Two Americans drowned. -
Sussex Sinking
French passenger steamer unarmed. 80 people, including Americans, were killed or injured. -
"Kept us out of war"
Slogan for President Wilson's campaign on the 1916 elections. -
Unristricted Submarine Warfare
If The United States could not persuade Britain to lift its naval blockade of food and fertilizers, Germany would consider renewing unristricted submarine warfare, -
Peace Without Victory
President Wilson called for "peace without victory ... a peace between equals". He wanted a "league of peace" that would work to extend democracy, mantain freedom of the seas and reduce armaments. -
Zimmermann Note
Telegram from the German foreign minister proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico (including promises of getting "lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona") to the German ambassador in Mexico. The note was intercepted by British agents. -
Sinking of four unarmed American Merchant Ships
Right after the Zimmermann Note episode, Germany provoques the United States one more time, by sinking four unarmed American ships. -
Overthrow of Nicholas II
Revolutionaries ousted the czar and established a provisional government. -
President Wilson's War Message
PresidentWilson announced that his previous position of "armed neutrality" was no longer tenable. -
Declaration of War Against the Central Powers
After the sinking of several ships by submarines and the publication of the Zimmerman telegram, President Wilson called for war on Germany, which the U.S. Congress declared.
