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How Did German Policy from January 1917 Onward Cause

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How Did German Policy from January 1917 Onward Cause HOW DID GERMAN POLICY FROM JANUARY 1917 ONWARD CAUSE THE UNITED STATES TO DECLARE WAR? Zimmerman Papers were famous because they exposed a German plot to enlist Mexico into an alliance with Germany in a war against the U.S. Prior to U.S. entry into WWI, Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare most challenged the nations' neutrality - Freedom of navigation on the seas was central to President Wilson's foreign policy from 1914 to 1917 - Germany's declaration of its intent to wage unrestricted submarine warfare had the greatest effect in moving the U.S. toward WWI Evidence supporting this position includes: - The sinking of the Lusitania - The Sussex Pledge - Wilson's decision to break off diplomatic relations with Germany - Wilson's war message to Congress, April 1917 On April 2, 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on Germany for the following reasons: - German submarines sinking U.S. merchant ships most influenced President Wilson's decision - German's autocratic government & Germany's plans for military victory - Sympathy for the democracies of Britain & France - The Russian Revolution - According to Wilson WWI was waged "to make the world safe for democracy" After President Wilson's second inauguration, many Americans consider his campaign slogan "He kept us out of war" ironic: because "He requested Congress issued a declaration of war on Germany" ASSESS THE INFLUENCE OF U.S.' INVOLVEMENT IN WWI ON THE FOLLOWING: - AFRICAN AMERICANS - WOMEN - CIVIL LIBERTIES - BUSINESS - PROPAGANDA African Americans - The first massive migration of Black Americans from the South occurred during & immediately after WWI - African American migration to the urban North during WWI was due primarily to expanded job opportunities in northern factories…this was a major effect of WWI on American Society in 1917 & 1918 as African Americans migrated to the North - Black Americans during WWI, for the most part were treated with dignity in Europe Women - Many women took the jobs vacated by men in the factories & after the war were given the right to vote with the 19th Amendment after WWI Civil Liberties - German Americans were discriminated against - Espionage & Sedition Act were passed - "Free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing panic." This is from a 1919 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting speech that represented a "clear and present danger." The defendant in the case had sent letters to military draftees arguing that conscription was illegal (Schenck vs. United States) Business - Industrial committees which helped mobilize the country's war efforts during WWI were so dominated by greedy businessmen cashing in on the war they were disbanded and replaced by the War Industries Board - War Industries Board determined what was to be made, how much, & what the prices were - Food & Fuel Administration asked Americans to volunteer to conserve food & resources - The Food Administration was to oversee the production and allocation of foodstuffs to assure adequate supplies for the army and the Allies Propaganda The Creel Committee during WWI represented the U.S.' first successful attempt at large-scale governmental propaganda During WWI, the Creel Committee on Public Information issued propaganda to persuade the American people of the following: - The U.S. was fighting for freedom and democracy - The U.S. was fighting a barbarous nation - Buying bonds was important to support the war effort - A German invasion of the U.S. was a possibility Government Power The following increased government power during WWI: - The Espionage Act - The War Industries Board - The Food Administration - The Creel Committee .
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