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U.S. Declares Neutrality
On August fourth, Woodrow Wilson declares the U.S. as a neutral power in the war in Europe. -
Sinking of the Lusitatnia
On May seventh, a German U-Boat (submarine) sinks a passenger ship carrying American Citizens. The Germans claimed that the U.S was sneaking goods to the Allied Powers to support the war effort. -
Private Investment in the War
J.P. Morgan and others loan millions to Britain and France to buy war supplies. -
Henry Ford's Peace Ship
Automotive giant Henry Ford launches Oscar II, a ship traveling to Europe to try and end the war. Many mocked the effort, calling it the "Ship of Fools" -
The United States Declares War
On April second, the U.S. declares war on Germany. This is the gateway to the full involvement of The United States in the war in Europe. -
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Changes at Home
During these months, the government establishes the Emergency Loan Act, Selective Service Act, and the Espionage Act. These laws restricted freedom in the name of national security during wartime. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points speech addressed the necessity of world peace. He laid out a plan to end the war and create an alliance called the League of Nations. The League of Nations failed, and the U.S. never joined. -
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End of the War
During these weeks, Czechoslovakia splits from Austria-Hungary, the Ottomans agree to peace, Austria-Hungary agrees to peace, and on November 11th, Germany agrees to armistice, ending the Great War. -
Paris Peace Conference
Woodrow Wilson becomes the first president to travel to Europe when he ventures to Paris for a postwar peace conference to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
