Tanks

The United States Road to World War I

  • Wilson Elected.

    Wilson Elected.
    Sick of wars the American people elect Woodrow Wilson promising the United States would advance human rights, national integrity, and opportunity abroad.
  • WORLD WAR 1 BREAKS OUT IN EUROPE

    WORLD WAR 1 BREAKS OUT IN EUROPE
    The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand begins the war. Americans still reeling over the Spanish American War and the American Philippine war have no interest in involvement.
  • Sinking of the RMS Lusitania

    Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
    Using unrestricted submarine warfare, the German Navy had bee sinking British ships in a attempt to stem the flow of war materials into Great Britain and France. There were 1,193 fatalities with 128 of the victims American Citizens. There was anger by the American public but President Wilson was able to calm their anger and negotiated with the Germans to be more discriminatory with their sinking. This did occur for a few weeks.
  • Pancho Villa attacks Columbus, New Mexico

    Pancho Villa attacks Columbus, New Mexico
    It is not really clear why Pancho Villa, a rebel commander in the Mexican Civil war attacked Columbus, New Mexico. The results were 18 Americans kidnapped from a Mexican train executed and 19 American killed in the attack in New Mexico.
  • General Pershins sent to pursue Ponco Villa

    General Pershins sent to pursue Ponco Villa
    The murders by Poncho Villa infuriated the American public and had become angered enough to want something to be done about Poncho. President Wilson sent General Pershing as a retaliatory measure.
  • The Zimmerman Telegram

    The Zimmerman Telegram
    In January 2017 a telegram was sent to the German ambassador in Mexico explaining should peace fail with America, Germany requests Mexico to enter the war to reclaim Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. In addition, Japan would be invited to join into the alliance. Recent Memory of the loss of American lives from the sinking of allied ships, and the recent attacks into New Mexico by Poncho Villa, American citizens were no longer reluctant into becoming engaged in war.
  • General Pershing Recalled

    General Pershing Recalled
    After a few clashes with Mexican forces General Pershing and his troops were recalled to prevent a full war.
  • Three American Ships Sunk

    Three American Ships Sunk
    Within weeks of the Zimmerman Telegram becoming public knowledge the German Navy reinstated its unlimited submarine warfare. On March 18, 1918 alone, three American ships had been sunk.
  • To War!

    To War!
    On April 2nd President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and their allies. By April 6, 1917 the United States was officially in the war.