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Zimmermann Note Discovered
British naval intelligence intercepted and decrypted a telegram sent by the German foreign minister Zimmerman to the German Ambassador in Mexico City asking Mexico to join Germany and in exchange, Germany promised to return territory Mexico has surrendered to the US after the Mexican-American War. -
US Trade With France and Britain
Although the United States was technically not in the war yet, it was providing guns and ammunition for two of the big powers, France and Britain. Trade with England and France more than tripled between 1914 and 1916, while trade with Germany was cut by over ninety percent. -
Wilson Declares Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson declared U.S. neutrality and stated that the United States would not join the war. -
Lusitania
A German submarine sunk the passenger liner Lusitania while it was crossing from New York to Liverpool, England, killing 129 Americans. This event became one of the main causes of American involvement in World War 1. -
Sussex
A German submarine sunk a French cross-channel passenger steamer called the Sussex, which left 80 causalities, including 2 Americans wounded. This incident angered the United States. -
The Sussex Pledge
The Sussex pledge came as a result of the sinking of the Sussex. It was drawn up by Germany and stated that Germany would give adequate warnings before sinking merchant and passenger ships in order to provide safety for passengers and crew. -
Wilson Re-Elected
President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected for "keeping [the U.S.] out of war." -
Wilson Asks Congress for Greater Powers
President Wilson asked Congress for greater powers, but Senate refused to grant him power to execute an undeclared naval war. -
Wilson Calls for a "Peace without Victory"
President Wilson was frustrated with his efforts to mediate peace, so he became convinced that both sides needed to cease hostilities. -
Germany Resumed Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany attempted to starve England into submission because they were confident that the US would be too late. This resumption was a direct violation of the Sussex Pledge and became another significant cause of US involvement in WWI. -
Wilson Asks to Declare War
President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. He insisted, "The world must be made safe for democracy. -
US Declares War
The United States declared war on Germany. -
Selective Service Act
The Selective Service Act was passed. Twenty-four million men registered for the draft by the end of 1918, but only 4.8 million served in WWI. -
Wilson's 14 Points
President Wilson's 14 points were intended to get support for Wilson's goals for a war-free world, at home and among allies in Europe. -
Cantigny
The first major American victory took place in Cantingny, France. Americans received aid from France and were able to regain this village from the Germans. -
Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood
The battle at Chateau-Thierry was relatively short but significant. American and French troops blocked the German advance. The battle at Belleau Wood lasted three weeks. The U.S. suffered heavy losses in this battle but defeated the Germans. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrendered expecting a peace drawn up under Wilson's 14 points. WWI left nine million soldiers dead and twenty-one million wounded, along with at least five million civilians who died from disease, starvation, or exposure. -
Peace Conference Begins in Paris
A conference was held among the most powerful people in the world in order to decide the fate of Germany. Wilson struggled to support his idea of "peace without victory," but his idea of the League of Nations was accepted. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed and officially ended WWI. The allied powers forced harsh/disciplinary territorial, military, and economic provisions on Germany. -
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization formed to provide a meeting for resolving international disputes. Although the League of Nations was proposed by President Wilson, the U.S. never became a member of it.