7.5
Period 7: 1890-1945, Topic 5- WWI: Military and Diplomacy
Student learning objective- Explain the causes of US involvement in WWI
US isolationism?
"Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.
Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?
It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them. . . ."- George Washington's Farewell Address
Discussion Question #1- What is the point of view?
Discussion Question #2- Explain if this is possible or not.
Causes of WWI:
- Militarism
- Alliance System
- Nationalism
- Imperialism
- Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
US neutrality
"I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war. I vote no." (Jeanette Rankin, Congressional speech, 1917)
"As a woman, I can't go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else." (Jeanette Rankin, Congressional speech, 1941)
What is Rankin's point of view?
Why is the historical situation important?
What is the purpose and intended audience and why are they important?
Causes of US Entry to WWI:
- Propaganda- George Creel- Committee on Public Information
- Huns?
- Anti-German sentiment
- Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, etc.
- Mr. Cook's ancestry story
- Temperance movement gains momentum for 18th amendment
- Unrestricted U-boat warfare
- Lusitania, Sussex, Arabic, etc.
- Zimmerman Note
- Repayment of Allied debts
US Declaration of War 1917
Revisit- Student learning objective- Explain the causes of US involvement in WWI
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