16.5.1

Reasons for the Entry of the USA

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Reasons for the Entry of the USA

For most of the First World War, the USA resisted entering the conflict. It eventually became invested in victory and joined the war because it was funding allies.

Background

Background

  • The USA had been traditionally isolationist (stayed out of the affairs of other nations).
  • In 1823 AD, US president James Monroe said, in what is now called the Monroe Doctrine:
    • 'In the wars of the European powers… we have never taken part, nor does it comport [fit] with our policy, so to do.'
Reasons for entering

Reasons for entering

  • As the Allies came to owe America billions of dollars, the USA became invested in an Allied victory.
  • But as the USA began to hear of German atrocities in Europe and their deliberate attack on the Lusitania (a British passenger ship) in 1915 AD, public opinion was increasingly hostile to Germany.
  • In 1916 AD, another passenger ship, the Sussex was sunk. Woodrow Wilson, the US President, then issued an ultimatum to Germany.
Trigger for entering

Trigger for entering

  • Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare directly affected American merchants.
  • The Zimmermann Telegram was the final straw for the US.
  • The telegram was sent in 1917 AD by the German Foreign Minister.
  • It promised Mexico territory lost in the Mexican-American War if it joined the German cause.
    • The British intercepted the telegram.
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1

Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1

The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2

The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3

The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4

The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5

Medieval Religion

1.6

The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7

How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8

Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9

Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10

Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11

Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12

European Renaissance

1.13

Norman Conquest & Control

1.14

Historical Skills

2

The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1

Anglo-Saxon England

2.2

The Contest for the English Throne

2.3

Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4

King John

2.5

The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6

The Black Death

3

Worldviews

4

The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5

The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6

The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7

The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8

Religion in the Middle Ages

9

Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10

The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11

The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12

US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13

The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14

The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15

Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16

World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17

The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18

The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19

World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20

The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21

Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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