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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
In June of 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was shot and killed by assassins in order to gain land. This was leading to Germany trying to kill Belgium and France in August 1914. His wife Sophie was also killed -
The Sinking of The Luistania
German U-boats, or submarines, sank ships going between UK and America. On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sunk the Lusitania, a British passenger ship sailing off the coast of Ireland. More than 100 Americans died. The Germans said they had put warnings in American newspapers telling passengers to get off ships that are going to the war. Germany said the Lusitania had been saving war supplies for UK. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
In January of 1917, Germany thought the United States was prepared to join the war.
Arthur Zimmermann, a German leader, sent a telegram to Mexico inquiring the country to start a border war with the United States, Germany would get back Mexican land that had became Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The telegram was put in the U.S. newspapers, showing that Germany was America's enemy. Two months after, German U-boats sunk three American merchant ships. -
The United States Enters the War
Wilson said the US would be in the middle, because many Americans were immigrants both the Central Powers and the Allies. They fought over which countries start war so Wilson forced Americans to stay neutral.But, America traded with both England, of the Allies, and Germany.The English blockade of battleships stopped U.S. ships from bringing goods to Germany. Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917.War was declared against Germany on April 6.
