The United States and World War I Essay - 1703 Words

A. Plan of the Investigation When the First World War erupted in Europe on July 28, 1914; President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaimed that the United States would remain neutral on August 4, 1914. However, the United States did not stick to this proclamation, and eventually became involved in the war efforts. This investigation aims to evaluate the reasons the United States violated their neutrality in order to join the war. In inquiring into the reasons of the United States’ entry into the war, the Zimmermann telegram will be assessed. Primary sources, Message to Congress., 2d Sess., Senate Doc and War Messages, 65th Cong., 1st Sess. Senate Doc. No. 5 by Woodrow Wilson will also be assessed. Online sources, for example†¦show more content†¦By January 1917 representatives from the German navy convinced the military leadership and Kaiser Wilhelm II that a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare could help defeat Great Britain within five months. German policymakers argued that they could vi olate the â€Å"Sussex pledge† because the United States was not being neutral (Office of the Historian). In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico, offering United States’ territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause (Childress). Accordingly, on January 31, 1917, the German Ambassador, Count Johann von Bernstorff, presented U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing with a note declaring Germany’s intention to restart unrestricted submarine warfare the following day. Stunned by the news, President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had severed diplomatic relations with Germany (Office of the Historian). Throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sunk several American ships, and many American passengers and seamen died (Office of the Historian). On February 26, Wilson asked Congress for authority to arm American merchant sh ips with U.S. naval personnel and equipment. Despite the rebuff from Congress, Wilson decided to arm American merchant ships by executive order, claiming that an old anti-piracy law gave him the authority to do so (Office of theShow MoreRelatedThe United States Into World War I855 Words   |  4 PagesThe First World War was once one of the most harmful and deadliest wars of all time. A few countries participated within the battle together with Russia, Great Britain, Germany, and France. When the European nations went to war, Americans wanted nothing to do with the war. The twenty-eighth U.S. president Woodrow Wilson, led America through World War I. Wilson was a college professor, university president and Democratic governor of New Jersey before winning the White House in 1912. Woodrow WilsonRead MoreThe United States Into World War I1368 Words   |  6 Pagesthat lead the United States into World War 1. The three main events that led to the to the United States entering into World War 1 were the British propaganda. Then the sinking of the Lusitania along with the Zimmerman telegram. With all of these events linked to each other they gradually pushed the United States into the war even though the United States tried to remain a neutral nation, they had no choice but to join the Allies and enter into the first world war. The First World War was caused byRead MoreThe United States And The World War I932 Words   |  4 Pages President Wilson had no choice but to enter World War I to protect the American people and our way of life. Sometimes it is necessary to stay neutral and to not engage. Other times it is our duty to engage the enemy to protect our families, our freedom, and our way of life. President Wilson did all he could to remain diplomatic and finding a solution other than going to war with Germany and its allies. 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That is until a group of young prominent men known as the â€Å"Millionaires Unit† at Yale start a flying club due to their interest in aviation and patriotism to the United States. As Germany attempted to cause a Mexican revolution across the border, a group of 12 men thought they should learn how to fly and enter the war—If and when theRead MoreWorld War I And The United States2440 Words   |  10 Pagesthat acted as a catalyst for an important and lasting shift in the United State’s perception of its role in the world. Technological advancement in travel and communication changed the American people’s views of the world, therefore changing the direction of American foreign policy. This shift in foreign policy would eventually lead the United States into the grips of two horrific wars on the European continent. However, these wars would provide the necessary environment for the country to establishRead MoreWorld War I And The United States Essay1859 Words   |  8 PagesWorld War I was unlike any other war before it. The total casualties reached about about 38 million, with over 17 million deaths, 7 million of them being civilians, and 20 million wounded. World War I was well known for the extensive system of trenches from which men of both sides fought, the lethal new technologies unleashed such as poison gas, and for the battles under the sea and in the skies. At first, the two sides consisted of the Allies: France, Britain, and Russia, against the Central Powers:Read MoreWorld War I And The United States876 Words   |  4 Pageswebsite, â€Å"The results of these intelligence tests were influential in shaping U.S. immigration policy that limited immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, and in justifying race-based segregation in public education, and U.S. conscription during World War I. Previously, the scientific debate centered largely on perceived differences in racial intelligence based on cranial size†. (Science: 1900s-1930s Race and Intelligence) From the readings it seems that the Blacks and even Native Americans were preservedRead MoreWorld War I And The United States1353 Words   |  6 Pages1945 the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said that the United States would be the strongest economic country in the world. In the 1950’s it had become a reality and the United States not only had a strong military but a strong economy. World War II was a staple for why the economy was up with the war going on money was needed to get the war products like planes, tanks, bullets, guns, and many other things. Also with the war going on it meant that more jobs were needed and it benefited theRead MoreThe United States During World War I1506 Words   |  7 Pages The United States during World War I extended their â€Å"military, economic, and/or political control† to other weaker countries like, Hawaii, Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico. They were following the policy of Imperialism.1 Imperialism allows for nations to be able to trade with one another and businesses preferred it because it helped the United States economy. Nationalism is when the people of a nation are under one government and this played a key factor in starting world war one. There was