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Death of Franz
Arch Franz Ferdinand and Sophie, his wife, visited Sarajevo (the capital of Austria-Hungary's Bosnia Province). After a first failed attempt at assassination, Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip fired several shots at the couple, killing them.
This is important because it set off a chain reaction because within weeks Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. America watched as other countries took sides, and we were stepping back to really decide if we should stay neutral. -
Wilson Declares Policy of Neutrailty
Wilson declares that the USA will not take a side in the European war. "Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutraility..." America is now persuaded and represented by Wilson here on out. -
Preparedness Movement
Former president Theodore Roosevelt said that the U.S. was "ill-prepared" for war. Roosevelt was opposed to Wilson's ideas of neutrality. Wilson was reluctant to strengthen the military, but the submarine menace persuaded him that he should increase the nations readiness for the war. He promised a "navy second to none." Propoganda was widespread throughout the campaign for support of eother side. In the end, neutrality gave way to anti-German feeling in the minds of many Americans. -
U-Boat Submarine Attacks
A U-Boat sank a British boat "Lusitamia" and 128/1198 were Americans. Four months later, Germany sank another British ship, the "Arabic", killing two Americans. In the agreemant the Sussex pledge, Germany said that they would spare all lives in any U-Boat attack, but there was a condition; the U.S. must force Britain to end the illegal blockade.The U.S. was now being pulled into the conflict. -
Speech to the Senate
Wilson wants to find an way to end the war in Euroope. He wanted the warring powers to accept "peace without victory." Germany responded by launching an all-out effort to win the war, so Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.At this time, the U.S. was trying to deterr Germany. -
Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman Note began to create an anti-German feeling across America. Zimmerman suggested that if the U.S. entered the war, Mexico and Germany would become allies. This made America as a whole nervous, so the anti-German feelings intensified. -
U.S. Enters the War
Wilson speaks to a special session of Congress. Wilson says "we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts - for democracy..."On April 4, 1917, the Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war on Germany. On April 6, another vote followd ranking at 373 to 50. The U.S. was going to war. America was now involved in what we now know as World War I.