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Inability to remain neutral in face of increasing threats to U.S. national interests
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German unrestricted submarine warfare
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Interception of the Zimmerman Telegram
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The United States had close economic and political ties to Great Britain. These ties compelled U.S. support for Great Britain.
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Feb, 1915: Germans used this strategy to prevent supplies from reaching Britain. They would shoot at
May, 1915: Lusitania left New York City for England. German embassy warned that travelers were taking a risk. Once the ship was close to Britain, a German U-boat (an
any ships without warning — a violation of international law. Unterseeboot or submarine) launched a torpedo attack, sinking the Lusitania. 128 Americans on board were killed. President Wilson was angry but still kept the United States out of war. Re-elected in 1916 with the slogan: "He kept us out of war." |
Jan. 1917: German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram* to Mexico asking Mexico to become an ally of Germany. In return, Germany would help Mexico win back lands lost to the United States during the Mexican War.
April 1917: Once American were aware of this, they were outraged. President Wilson declared war on Germany.
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