Chapter 6 Section 1 still Divided Loyalties No involvement unless our interests were threatened Americans tied to homelands German and Irish Americans that the Central Powers were justified Tired of British domination ID: 514068
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Wilson Urges Neutrality
Chapter 6: Section 1… stillSlide2
Divided Loyalties
No involvement unless our interests were threatened
Americans tied to homelands
German and Irish Americans that the Central Powers were justified
Tired of British domination
Most sided with Britain and FranceSlide3
American Opinion
Opinion swayed by attacks on Belgium
Killed civilians
Isolationists – war was not our business
Interventionists – affected American interests and should intervene
Internationalists – play an active role in world affairs
Middle groundSlide4
German Blockade
British decided to blockade Germany
Weapons and articles used to fight war could be confiscated by a belligerent nations
Food and medical could not
Britain expanded contraband until it included everythingSlide5
U Boats
February 1915 – started sinking allied ships
May 7, 1915 – sinks Lusitania off the coast of Ireland
Should have been warned and passengers removed
Germany promises not to sink any more passenger ships
Sunk the SussexSlide6
Preparing for War
National Defense Act – expanded size of army
Naval Construction Act – building more warshipsSlide7
America Enters War
January 1917 – severe shortages due to blockade
Zimmerman Note – proposed alliance with Mexico
German victory would get Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
Intercepted by British
Announced unrestricted sub warfare on Britain
April 2, 1917 Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on GermanySlide8