Lesson 3: The Masses v. the Espionage Act of 1917

1. What conditions/events shaped American entrance into WWI? 
2. What role did media – from periodicals and newspapers to pamphlets, posters and film – play in shaping American attitudes toward the war in Europe?

Goals

1. Understand what triggered US entry into WWI; role of Zimmerman Telegram raising fears of infiltration and overthrow of government; 
2. Ability to articulate how the Espionage (and later Sedition) Act came into being; 
3. Understand the nature of propaganda and how it was used during WWI; 
4. Understand how images (cartoons and posters) persuade.