2017 Summer Newsletter

imprisoned in 1918. A series of events on the high seas began to change the government’s opinion of Germany. By early 1915 the U. S. was honoring the British blockade of goods sent to Germa ny. On February 4, 1915, the Germans declared unrestrict ed submarine warfare. February 24, 1915 Present Wilson issued a warning to Germany that the U.S. would not toler ate any sinking of neutral U. S. merchant ships at any time. The sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915 was the turning point toward the end to neutrality. President Wilson sent a strong protest to Germany and coupled with his earlier warning, the Germans ceased unrestricted warfare until January 1917. On June 3, 1916 the U. S. National Defense Act was passed by Congress. The Act expanded the Army and the Nation al Guard. It created the Officers’ and an Enlisted Reserve Corps, and created the Reserve Officers Training Corps. The Act also allowed the Army to create an Aviation arm. In ad dition, the federal government took steps to immediately increase the production of wartime weapons and equip ment. The importance to Miami County is the fact the Act expanded authority to federalize the National Guard, with changes to the duration and circumstances under which the President could mobilize the National Guard. On March 24, 1916 a German submarine severely damaged the French owned Sussex, a cross channel steamer, caus ing the evacuation of the crew and passengers. Fifty were killed including several celebrities: one a Persian prince. The attack on the Sussex enraged the U.S. population to the point where a heated diplomatic exchange was made between the U. S. and Germany in which President Wilson threatened to break off relations with Germany. On May 4, 1916, in order to keep the U.S. out of the war, Germany is sued the Sussex Pledge. They pledged to call off unrestrict ed submarine warfare on all cross channel passenger ships. On January 19, 1917 the British intercepted the Zimmer man Telegraph. The telegraph said Germany would pro vide financial aid to Mexico, if Mexico invaded the U.S. and after the war, Germany would return to Mexico their original territory in south western United States. Germany also requested Mexico to ask Japan to join in the invasion. (Japan joined the Allies in order to be awarded German possessions in the Pacific, China and Indo-China.) The final events leading up to the declaration of war. January 31, 1917 Germany announced the resumption of unrestricted warfare. February 3, 1917 The U.S. severs diplomatic relations with Germany. March 1, 1917 The British provide the U.S. with a copy of Zimmerman Telegram. April 1, 1917 The American steamship Aztec is torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat as it entered British waters. April 2, 1917 President Wilson goes before a joint session of Congress stating that the world must be made “Safe for Democra cy” and asks for a declaration of war. April 6, 1917 The day after an overwhelming majority in the Senate votes for war, President Wilson signs the Declaration of War. The U.S. quickly mobilizes the country for war. Going from a standing army of 133,000 men without almost any heavy artillery, millions of men were inducted into the

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