US INVOLVEMENT IN WWI

THE LUSITANIA SINKS

• Date: May 7 1915
• German submarine sinks a British passenger ship with 128 Americans
• Outraged many Americans who saw it as a terrorist act

THE ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM

• Date: February 25 1917
• British intelligence intercepts a telegram and gives it to President Wilson
• Arthur Zimmerman offers to Mexico America's Southwest Region
• "Join Germany as an ally to regain this region"
• Enrages American public and convinces them to support war

WOODROW WILSON WANTS WAR

• Date: April 2 1917
• He outlines his case for war to Congress

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WWI

• Date: April 6 1917
• Congress authorizes declaration to war against Germany
• America sides with Britain and France

DRAFT: THE SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT

• Date: May 18 1917
• Congress passes it
• People accuse it of ruining democracy at home
• President Wilson signs bill into law, seeing no other option

THE BATTLE OF CANTIGNY

• Date: May 28 1918
• First major American offensive in war against Germany
• Allows America to use larger attacks on the Germans

THE BATTLE AT CHATEAU-THIERRY

• Date: June 3 1918
• Americans attack Germans here
• Leads to The Battle of Belleau Wood

THE BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD

• Start Date: June 6 1918
• End Date: June 26 1918
• US Marine Corps vs. Germans in a wheat field
• Heavy Casualties
• Result: 10000 American casualties

THE BATTLE OF ST. MIHIEL

• Date: September 12 1918
• General Pershing & 300000 American troops vs. German Lines
• Result: 7000 casualties with boosted morale

ARMISTICE DAY

• Allies of WWI & Germany sign a treaty
• Comes into effect November 11, 11 am, 1918
• Ends the war