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Sinking of the British Ship Lusitania
(Sinking of the Lusitania by a German Submarine.)
On the 7 of May, 2015 a German U-Boat torpedoed a British ship and killed 158 American passengers. This caused America to demand that Germany cease their unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany agreed until it resumed in 1917. -
The "Sussex Pledge"
(Nespaper reporting on Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare.)
After the sinking of the French ship Sussex, Woodrow Wilson made Germany Pledge to allow passengers tim to abandon ship. It stated that German U-boats must surface and fire warning shots before attacking ships. Germany only agreed to this deal because they belived that they could resume their tactics later since america was violating their neutrality by shipping supplies to England. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
(This picture is of the Zimmerman Telegram before it was decoded.)
The Zimmerman Telegram was a message sent to Mexico from Germany offereing an allince. If Mexico accepted then they would be payed a large amount of money as well as troop support to attack the USA. The message was intercepted by the Allies and made public to convince the American people to go to war. -
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Resumed
(A German submarine is sailing away after sinking a US supply ship.)
After the sinking of the ship Lusitania America requested that Germany cease their unresticted submarine warfare. Germany complied with their request. However two years later Germany declared that they would resume their tactic. This was used as evidence that America should join the war. -
America Enters WW1
(A picture of a newspaper in Missouri announcing America's entrnace in WW1.)
After all the events that had taked place previously America decided to enter WW1. Supplies, troops, and information was now officially sent between the countries and the US at this point. America started drafting soldiers after the official declaration. -
Selective Service Act
(A recruitment poster that was a common sight after the US declared war.)
After America had declared war people started commenting on the numbers of its military. There were only 400,000 active members including the National Guard. Congress passed a law that required men 21-30 to register for the draft. This was later changed to ages 18-45. -
America Declares War On Austria-Hungary
(This is an picture of a nespaper anouncing Austri Declaring wat against Serbia.)
The US already declared war on Germany but were yet to do so. On Decamber 17, 1917 the US officially made their decleration of war. After this point they started attacks on Austia-Hungary. -
The Spring Offensive
(A Lewis Machine Gun team during the German spring offensive.)
On March 21st Germany attacked a weak point in the Allies defense and forced through thier way all the way to paris. They won many battles but had poor supply lines causing them to take many casualties. When 250,000 American troops landed in France it ended the German Offensive. -
The Battle Of Cantigy
(US soldiers charging to attack the German soldiers during the Battle Of Cantigy.)
The Battle of Cantigy was the first large scale battle that America had participated in. The US military quickly moved in and captured the town. The importance of this particular battle was not physical but mental. It bolstered marale for the allies to hear that the US had troops on the frontline. -
The Treaty of Versailles
(The final copy of the treaty that the Germans were forced to sign.)
The Treaty of Versailles was the document stating the terms of Germany's surrender. While it ended WW1 many could argue that it was the direct cause of WW2. The president of the USA was the only leader to argue that the terms of the treaty were to harsh to the German people. H was proven right when Hitler managed to topple the government and start another war.
