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Assisnation of Archduke Franz Ferdinad and his wife Sophie
Archduke Franz Ferdinad and his wife Sophie were visiting the Bosnian town of Sarajevo when Serbian terrorists attempted to bomb their car. This attempt failed, but Gavrilo Princep, a member of the group, shot and killed both Franz and Sophie. This caused Austira-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. -
President Wilson Appeals for Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson impied that the US would not take sides in the conflicts occuring in Europe. He also warned the US citizens of the consequences that would take place by them "passionetly taking sides' (Doc. 1). As of this point in time, the US was neutral. -
British Blockade of Ships
British began blocking ships heading for Germany. They forced ships carrying weapons, food, and other vital supplies to the Central Powers to turn away. Britian even forced ships from neutral countries such as the US to turn back. President Wilson was frustrated and complained about the policy of stopping neutral ships, but did not take action against them because he didn't want to threaten the economic ties between Britian and the US (Textbook). -
German U-boats Attack British Blockade
Germany used the new invention of submarines (U-boats) to attack the British blockade. Germany declared the waters around Britian a war zone, allowing them to sink enemy ships without warning. They disguised themselves as neutral ships, which increased the risk of destruction to any ship sailing into that area. The US protested this because it allowed Germans to sink merchant ships and that could potentially harm American citizens. This exact thing occured several times in the future. -
Zimmermann Note
The Zimmermann Note was a note sent in code form Germany to Mexico saying that if the US got involved with the war, they would ally with Mexico and after the war would help Mexico gain back "lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona" (Textbook). This created lots of tension and anti-German feelings around the US. -
Preparedness Movement
As President Wilson taking a neutral approch to the war, the people of the U.S. began to plan for war. Former President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to prepare for the war. The U.S. army only have 80,000 men and lacked any equipment. As the U.S. were preparing, both sides of the war used propogando to try and drum up support for thier side. -
US Enters the War
On April 2, 1917, Wilson spoke t a special session of Congress about all that had happened making it a good reason to enter the war, He cover things like attacks form the U-boats and harm to trade freely and stated that "neutrality was no longer practical" (textbook). While some cheered, others thought we were getting into a war that would cause lots of death for insignificant reasons.