World War 1

By Kporterfield

  • United States Exports to Europe

    This primanry source is a graph of the U.S. exports to Europe from 1910-1915. While the exports to Austria-Hungary and France remain relatively the same over the 5 years the exports to the UK and Germany both increase. This is significant because it shows which countries we were helping and which countries we were not. At this point the U.S. is still neutral but the graph suggests otherwise.

  • Archduke Ferdinand Assassination

    Bosnia was taken over by Austria-Hungary, which angered Bosnia so they bombed Ferdinands car. This was not successful, but later another terrrorist, Gavrilo Princip, successfully killed Ferdinand and his family. This is significant because it was the start of the war. The U.S. is still neutral it this point in time.

  • President Woodrow Wilson's Appeal for Neutrality

    President Wilson in this excerpt is talking about how the U.S. should remain neutral. He said that the U.S. should remain "impartial in thought as well as in action." This is important because it shows how the President thought the U.S. must remain nuetral in the war in order to keep its peace.

  • Germany Challenges British

    Germany hoped their new U-boat would break the Britich blockade and stop supplies from reaching the Allies. Germany declared the waters areound Britain a war zones allowing them to sink enemy ships. The United States warned Germany that they would hold them strictly accountable for any American casualties.

  • Germany Sinks to many ships

    Germany sank the British ship, the Arabic, which killed 2 Americans. Germany then promised not to sink anymore ships but then sank the French liner Sussex leaving several Americans injured. Wilson threatened to take action if anymore ships were sank so Germany signed the Sussex pledge agreeing to spare lives of merchant ships if the U.S. forced Britain to end the blockade.

  • U.S. Enters the War

    President Wilson says he wants to find a way to end the stalemated war in Europe. He warned powers to accept a "peace without victory." He spoke of forming a "league of honor" to help settle conflicts peacefully between nations. At this point the U.S. is joining the war which is very significant because now we are no longer neutral we must pick a side.

  • Woodrow Wilson's speech to the U.S. Senate

    In WIlson's speech he says neutrality is no longer an option for the U.S. He says in order to keep peace and make the world safe for democracy, the U.S. cannot remain neutral. This is important because it shows how the war has changed Wilson's mind and the position of the United States.

  • Senate Declares War

    With an 82 to 6 vote the U.S. senate declares war on Germany. Two days later the House followed with a vote of 373 to 50. This is significant because the U.S. is officially part of the war now.