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SOL Review Materials for Unit Six:
UNITED STATES INVOLVEMENT IN
WORLD WAR I AND THE PARIS PEACE
CONFERENCE
AMERICAN NEUTRALITY, 1914 - 1917

From 1914 to 1917, the
United States tried
very hard to maintain
neutrality in the
conflict. President
Wilson advised
Americans to maintain
neutrality in mind as
well as in action. He
even ran to be reelected President in
1916 with the campaign
motto, “He Kept Us Out
of War!” By early
1917, however, it was
impossible for the
United States to stay
out of the conflict.
Wilson’s campaign
bragged that the
President had kept us
out of war. How does
this sign show that
he supported unions,
as well?
REASONS FOR UNITED STATES INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I
On May 7, 1915, a German U-Boat sank the passenger liner HMS Lusitania off
the Southern Coast of Ireland. Over 1200 people died, including 128
Americans. Citizens of the United States were outraged and clamored for
war.
The United States and England
share so much in common that we
tend to be on the same side in
conflicts: during World War I,
World War II, the Cold War, and
even the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan today we have been
allies.
REASONS FOR US INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I
The United States had historical ties to Great Britain. The nations
shared a common heritage. They spoke the same language. They were both
believers in capitalism, and both nations practiced democracy. They also
shared a belief in individual rights and – for most people – the Christian
faith.
The Zimmermann Telegram
Germany hoped to recruit
Mexico into the war, and
occupy the US with a North
American War in 1917.
Instead, Mexico rejected
their offer, and outraged
American were one step
closer to declaring war on
Germany.
REASONS FOR US INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I
When the United States discovered the Zimmermann Telegram in the
of 1917 – inviting Mexico to attack the United States, Americans
outraged. The Germans had hoped that by occupying the US with a
North America, they would keep us out of World War I in Europe.
wrong!
early part
were
war in
They were

British
Empire

France

Russia

Serbia

Belgium

United
States
NOTE: Russia quit the war in 1917, after the
Russian Revolution. The United States did
not enter the war until 1917.
THE MAJOR ALLIED POWERS
The Central Powers
were the enemy of
the United States
during World War II.
The nations of the
Central Powers are
below.
The Central Powers:
•
Germany
•
The AustroHungarian Empire
•
Bulgaria
•
The Ottoman Empire
THE CENTRAL POWERS DURING WORLD WAR I
At the end of World
War I, President
Woodrow Wilson wrote
and presented a
Fourteen Point Plan
for peace in Europe.
In the plan, he
addressed all of the
main reasons war had
started in the first
place.
The plan
called for the
formation of the
League of Nations, a
peacekeeping
organization.
WOODROW WILSON’S FOURTEEN POINT
PLAN FOR PEACE IN EUROPE
WOODROW WILSON’S 14 POINT PLAN

The plan forbid secret treaties – like the one
between Serbia and Russia which helped to cause the
war.

The plan called for reduced military sizes.

Freedom of the seas was required.

Free trade was encouraged.

Nine new nations were created in Europe.

The League of Nations was created in order to allow
nations to resolve their disputes without resorting
to war – it was a peacekeeping organization!
THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
The United States never joined the League of
Nations, for fear that our sovereignty would be
taken away and we would be forced into future
laws. The Treaty of Versailles failed,
THE US NEVER JOINS THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS OR SIGNS THE
TREATY OF VERSAILLES. MANY HISTORIANS ARGUE THAT THE
LACK OF AN AMERICAN PRESENCE IN EUROPE MADE IT VERY
DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE PEACE.