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Lusitania Sinks
One of the leading causes for America's involvement in World War 1 was the sinking of the ship Lusitania. This ship was transporting many people, including Americans, across British waters. When a German U-Boat saw the ship it shot a torpedo at it. This caused 1,198 people to drown, which 124 of them were Americans. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
Another one of the leading causes for America getting involved in the war was the Zimmerman Telegram. It was a telegram sent from a German Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmerman, to Mexico asking if they could help them with the Americans and in return they promised them back Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Although the British intelligence service intercepted the telegram and alerted the United States. -
The S.S. Aztec Sinks
One month after the Zimmerman Telegram, the Germans caused another event that angered the Americans. When an American steamer called the S.S. Aztec went into British waters it was shot with a torpedo, unwarned, by a German U-Boat. This lead to 28 Americans drowning. -
America Declares War on Germany
President Woodrow Wilson was getting frustrated with what the Germans were doing so he decided to see if he could declare war on them. After President Wilson gave his war message to congress he was able to declare war on Germany. The U.S. then starts preparing for war. -
The First U.S. Troops Enter the War
Millions of American men signed up for their service in the war on June 5, 1917. Then on June 25, of that same year, the first U.S Troops landed in France. When the infantrymen and engineers stepped ashore, General John J. Pershing greeted them. -
The First Three American Soilders that Were Killed in the War
Soldiers from the First Division, who were under French command, entered in combat on the Western Front. The first Americans to be killed in the war, died on November 1st, less than two weeks after they entered in combat. Their names were James Gresham, Merle D. Hay and Thomas F. Enright. -
President Woodrow Wilson Declares His 14 Points
President Woodrow Wilson has a plan for peace among the countries. He writes them into 14 points which are goals to keep their world war-free. He then announces them on January 8, 1918. -
Influenza at Camp Funston
At Camp Funston there was a disease that was passing through many of the soldiers. This sickness was called the Spanish flu and it was passed on to someone else by being near or touching a person who had it. Many of the soldiers died because of it. -
The U.S. Navy Puts Out Lots of Sea Mines
Near the end of World War 1, The U.S Navy set out lots of sea mines that helped create a 300-mile barrier to protect themselves from the Germans. They set a total of 56,570 sea mines in the water during that time. They were able to sink five German U-Boats and make it so the Germans took longer to get to them because of the mines. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The war was completely over when Representatives from Germany, the Allied, and Associated Powers signed the Treaty of Versailles. When Germany signed it they had to agree to huge reparation demands. World War 1 was now over and the Allied Powers won.
