Question

question

1. 1. why did the united states remain neutral during the first three years of wwi? (give at least two reasons)

word bank: neutrality, trade, alliances, public opinion, immigran

1. how did unrestricted submarine warfare and the zimmerman telegram cause the u.s. to join wwi?

word bank: submarines, attacks, ships, germany, mexico, declaration

1. how did wwi affect americans living at home? (give at least two examples)

word bank: factories, women workers, rationing, prop economy

1. what were conditions like in the trenches, and how did this affect soldiers’ daily lives?

word bank: mud, rats, disease, fear, exhaustion,
sentence starters:

• the united states because ____
• one reason for ne ____.
• another reason
• unrestricted s affected the u ____
• wwi affe ____
• one exa
• anothe ____
• con ____
• thi ____

Explanation:

Question 1

To determine why the US remained neutral in WWI’s first three years, we analyze:

1. Public Opinion & Isolationism: Many Americans, especially immigrants with ties to warring nations, favored staying out. Isolationist sentiment (avoiding European conflicts) was strong.
2. Economic Interests (Trade): The US traded with both Allied and Central Powers. Neutrality allowed continued trade (e.g., selling goods to both sides) without taking sides, boosting the economy.
3. Lack of Immediate Threat: The war was in Europe; no direct threat to US territory, so neutrality seemed safe.

• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany’s policy of attacking all ships (including US) in war zones (e.g., sinking the Lusitania) killed Americans, angering the US.
• Zimmerman Telegram: Germany’s secret message to Mexico (leaked) proposed an alliance: Mexico would attack the US, and Germany would help it reclaim Texas/Arizona/New Mexico. This threat to US security (and national pride) pushed the US to join the Allies.

WWI impacted homefront Americans:

1. Women in Workforce: Men enlisted, so women took factory jobs (e.g., making weapons, supplies), gaining economic independence and shifting gender roles.
2. Rationing & Economy: The government rationed goods (food, fuel) to support the war effort. Factories focused on wartime production, boosting industrial growth (e.g., steel, munitions).
3. Propaganda & Patriotism: Campaigns (e.g., “Buy Liberty Bonds”) encouraged public support, while anti - German sentiment (e.g., renaming “sauerkraut” to “liberty cabbage”) rose.

Answer:

• Reason 1: Public opinion favored isolationism (avoiding European conflicts), and many immigrants had mixed loyalties, so neutrality kept domestic peace.
• Reason 2: Neutrality allowed the US to trade with both Allied and Central Powers, benefiting its economy through wartime sales (e.g., weapons, supplies).

Question 2