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Assassination of the royal couple
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were visiting Sarajevo one day. While driving through the town terrorist Gavrilo Princip shot into their car several times and killed both of them, setting off a huge chain reaction. The U.S. did not believe this concerned them at first. -
U-boats
Germans created "U-boats" which are underwater boats to help give them an advantage on attacking the British. Using the U-boats, Germany would sink enemy ships without them knowing it was coming. They also used the boats to put a stop to vitsl supplies geting to Allies. Wilson pointed out that the U-boats were a violation to international law. He held Germany to "strict accountability" for American casualties from this type of attack. -
Warning sent from Imperial German Embassy
This warning was sent to travelers who would be crossing over the Atlantic. Either by boat or flying, these travelers would be at their own risk. Destruction may occur to either. No matter where these travelers are from, they must be aware that a war is occuring. The Germans shared this notice with the U.S. -
Lusitania sinks
German powers sunk the British steamships that had American citizens on it. The Germans torpedoed the ship that was going from America to Britain. The United States was extremely angry and upset because of inoccent people losing their lives. -
Sussex Pledge
Gemany made an agreement with the United States that the U-boats would not attack their ships -
Zimmerman Note
The note was sent in code by the German Foreign MInister, Arthur Zimmermann, to German minister in Mexico. The note was about the U.S. entering the war and if it happened, Mexico and Germany would becone allies. -
United States was no longer neutral
Too much was happening for the United States not to do anything. Woodrow Wilson talked about how we weren't going to sit around and watch our country be messed with. He then declared that the United States was no longer neutral. Wilson spoke about the U.S backing up the British.