1. Why did the United States get Involved in World War 1? Case 1 – Submarine Warfare Case 2 - Economy

2. Submarine Warfare Britain had a very powerful navy, and Germany realized that they had to take drastic measures. Germany realized that they would have no chance beating Britain while on the same playing field. They decided that U-boats were their way to level the playing field. The use of U-boats were meant to stop the British blockade, but it eventually stemmed out to all ships that were in the "War Zone". No ship, even British ones with a neutral flag would not be spared from U-boat attacks. The German U-boats terrorized the British navy, sinking the Cruiser; Formidable, HMS Dreadnought, Aboukir, Hogue, and the Cressy. Because the British destroyers were not able to hunt the small U-boats, Britain called upon every ship or vessel they could. They asked yachts, trawlers, and auxiliary patrol vessel to stop or sink the U-boats. Unfortunately for the British Navy the U-boats had no problems with these civilian lead ships. The use of Submarine Warfare was paying off, they had a chance of starving the Britain into surrendering. But on the other hand, Germany was having great disasters with America. America wanted to stay out of the war, and the general opinion of the American people was against Germany. The most publicly known U-boat sinking was the Lusitania. The Lusitania was targeted, by the German U-boats. In an effort to avoid a lot of controversy the Germans printed a warning in several New York newspapers warning civilians that the Lusitania was "Liable to Destruction". That add was printed right next to the ad for the Lusitania's return voyage. There were 1,257 passengers; 197 America, and rifle cartridges, artillery shells, and fuses for the war effort. The Lusitania was sunk by a U-boat that had three torpedoes left and was running low on fuel. http://www.vectorsite.net/twsub2_1.html#m2 Home Zimmerman Telegram Survivor Mother of Passenger

6. On May 1, 1915, I stepped foot onto the Lusitania in New York thinking that I would be sailing safely to Liverpool. I was indeed aware of the recent British merchant ships that were sunk by German submarine warfare, but I was assured that due to the speed and safety of the RMS Lusitania, I had nothing to worry about. Surely the ship was fast enough to escape any sort of attack that might come our way. For six days we sailed smoothly. For six days I spent time on the lovely ship with my husband and two beautiful children who unfortunately are not with me any longer. On May 7, 1915, we were attacked. I remember it being very foggy that day, and the speed of the Lusitania had slowed down significantly because Captain Turner could not see a thing. It was sometime in the afternoon because I remember I had just returned to my room from the dining room after lunch. I was sitting with my husband and two children when I heard the loudest noise of my entire life. Screams filled the entire ship as we felt the ship bounce about unsteadily. My husband looked at me, and we knew what had occurred. Our ship had been attacked. What was an innocent ride to Liverpool had turned into absolute hell. After the first explosion, a secondary blast occurred. At this point we had left our room and the four of us had made it up to the deck. Approximately 19 minutes later, the Lusitania was submerged, and I was never to see my husband or two children ever again. I was one of the "lucky" ones that survived. But how lucky am I to be living without my children and my husband? I will never forget May 7, 1915. I will never forget the Lusitania. How did the Germans do this? We were all innocent. They are responsible for over 1,000 lives being lost! They are responsible for over 100 Americans dead! They are responsible for the United States of America entering into World War I, and I am so happy that we did. They got what they deserved in the end, but it does not make the loss of my two children and my husband any easier or better. http: //youtube .com/watch? v=ShOHb67h4Qc Home Case - 1 Mother of Passenger Zimmerman Telegram

9. Economy The War in Europe was raging on without involvement from the United States and other neutral nations. The economic costs of the war were straining the warring nations so they began to look for loans from neutral nations that could afford it. With the United States corporations flourishing because of the massive amounts of exports being sent to European nations money was plentiful. Secretary of State Bryan knew that if the United States companies made loans to belligerent nations that the war would only continue long enough to affect the homeland. Exports from the US to European nations were heavily made to the Entente nations including Great Britain, France, and Russia. By fueling their economies much more than Allie forces like Germany and Austria Hungary they created a divide in relations from those nations. American companies wanted to be able to make loans out to European nations because they were making a lot of money that was benefiting our economy. Also if they stopped trading with warring nations then they would turn to other countries to get goods from at the time being. Home German Leader Secretary of State Bryan Samuel McRoberts