-
Germany turns the waters surrounding the British Isles into an active war zone
On February 4th, 1915 Germany made public their intention of sinking any ship from enemy countries. This went into effect the 18th of that month. The next event relates directly to this. -
The Lusitania is sunk by a German torpedo
The Lusitania was a ship going from New York to Liverpool. It had 1,959 passengers and crew members on board. It was in the British Isles when a German U-boat launched a torpedo at it. Of the 1,959 on board 1,195 died. 128 of those deceased were Americans. This greatly angered the Americans, but they still remained neutral in the war. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points is put into effect
Wilson made an address of how he planned on establishing and keeping peace in Europe. As you may guess, he had fourteen points on how he would do so. -
The Zimmerman Telegram is found out
Germany sent the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico proposing an alliance. Some people from the British Empire intercepted the message and by the end of February had decoded it. They then gave it to the US. This also aggravated the Americans because it would turn Mexico against them. -
President Wilson requests a declaration of war
On April 2nd, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress permission to join the war against Germany. Britain, Russia, and France were fighting against Germany at this point and Germany kept provoking the United States, making them tempted to join. Withing four days, Wilson's request was granted and the US joined World War I. -
America joins the war
America had originally intended to remain neutral in the war, but following Germany's acts against the US their position changed. After the President approached congress and the US Senate voted, it was decided they would join the war. The US deciding to join saved the Triple Entente from going bankrupt. -
Selective Service Act
The President wanted the power to draft American men into service so they would not run low on troops. So on May 28th, 1917 the Selective Service Act was passed, which gave the President the ability to draft men into the war. 4.8 million men ended up fighting in the war, and about 2.8 million had been drafted. -
The first American victory
-
Americans stop the German supply lines
-
The Treaty of Versailles is signed
