Advanced US History Assignment:
Pick one of the following and write a paragraph on this blog regarding why you feel it is a significant reason for the US entering WWI on the side we did when we did. To listen to me explain this assignment simply click on the Vocaroo icon below.
1. The Unrestricted use of Submarines by the German Navy.
2. The Transatlantic Cable
3. The Zimmerman Note
4. The $$$ extended to the Allies in credit.
5. The commonality of the English and the American Culture
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Among other reasons that pushed United States towards the war with Germany such as the Zimmerman’s telegram and the investment in Europe, the unrestricted submarine warfare was the most significant cause of the U.S. participation in World War I. As President Wilson said before joining the war, “ Our motives will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right of which we are only a single champion” ( Woodrow Wilson, April 2, 1917). The German submarine warfare, on the other side, attacked the right and freedom of people. The warfare allowed Germany to sink ships without warning. In 1915, German submarine sank the British Lusitania, which caused hundreds of Americans died. Even though the German agreed not to sink anymore without further warning, in 1916, they attacked a French passenger ship with Americans on board. If those weren’t enough for Wilson to go to war against Germany, when the Kaiser announced the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in March 1917, it gave Wilson no other option but to go to war. Only a month later, the United States entered WWI to make “the world safe for democracy.” In this case, the unrestricted submarine warfare clearly violated individual’s right and put them in danger. The president could not allow more innocent causalities; therefore he chose to go to war.
ReplyDeleteThe French ship was called Sussex
DeleteJust to clear that the sinking of Sussex was before the Sussex Pledge.
DeleteAlthough many reasons present themselves, I believe that the unrestricted use of submarines by the German Navy was the most significant reason that the United States joined World War I. The German Navy was using their submarines to attack and ruthlessly kill innocent people. World War I had already begun which gave the German Navy and excuse to sink these ships. When the Germans sank the Lusitania in May of 1915, a British ship containing many American passengers, it enraged the United States Government. In 1916, the German Navy sank the French ship, Sussex, without warning. The United States finally acted and issued the Sussex Pledge. The Sussex pledge stated that Germany must stop sinking Liners without warning or the United States will cut all diplomatic relations with Germany. After the Sussex Pledge was issued, the Germans renewed “unrestricted submarine warfare” (Gullotta PowerPoint Slide 56) which was a clear violation of the Sussex Pledge. Therefore, two days later, on February 3, 1917 the United States cut all diplomatic ties with Germany. I believe this is a key factor which brought the United States into World War I.
ReplyDeleteThough there were many reasons for the United States to enter WWI, the major reason was the Zimmerman note. The German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a message to the German ambassador to Mexico requesting Mexico to join the German offensive. If they did so, Germany promised to help the Mexicans recapture lost territory, including all of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The message was intercepted by the British and transmitted to Woodrow Wilson. This was a direct threat from Germany to the United States. Unlike after the attack on the Lusitania, Wilson realized there was no peaceful approach to this, and that war was inevitable. On February 26, 1917, Wilson asked Congress permission to arm American Merchant ships to help defend American commerce. To persuade these actions, Wilson released the Zimmerman note to the public. This created widespread anger that swept the nation, and the House passed the Arm Ship Bill by a vote of 403 to 13. The Zimmerman note proved to be end in Wilson’s attempt at peace. He soon realized that Germany was the aggressor, and to put down there offensive against the U.S. and much of Europe, that joining the Allie’s was favorable. The United States were now fighting in WWI.
ReplyDeleteBoorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. A History of the United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 1981. Print.
DeleteMany factors effected the United State's decision to enter World War One, however one significant event resulted in America's choice to align themselves with the Allied Powers as well as their choice to enter the war when they did. This event was The Zimmermann Note or The Zimmermann Telegram which was a message sent from the German Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmermann, to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt, that was intercepted in January 1917 by the British. British cryptographers discovered that the note contained an offer from the Germans to Mexico stating that the Germans would support Mexico in recovering territory that they had lost to the Untied States, that included Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, in exchange for Mexico's alliance with the Central Powers. The Zimmermann note was then presented to President Woodrow Wilson on February 24th by the British and then published by the American press on March first. The British knew that this letter was the final push needed for the Americans to join their side because it represented a direct threat from Germany to American and had gigantic impact on American opinion. According to David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences." The Zimmermann Note clearly made Germany the enemy in the eyes of American citizens, as Germany was obviously the aggressor in this situation. Soon after this change in national opinion, on April 6, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and it's allies and because of The Zimmerman Note's impact on America the Congress had the general public's full support in this decision.
ReplyDeleteTheir are many stimuli that are valid reasons for the commencing of war against Germany, However I believe the unrestricted submarine warfare from Germany was the most significant cause, because not only did they destroy ships carrying valued supplies, they killed the lives of innocent Americans. On May 7th 1915 the British ocean liner the Lusitania was destroyed killing 128 Americans. All the attacks were given without warning and without any way of fighting back. German unrestricted submarine warfare was only supposed to target merchant ships but this policy was again broken on March 24, 1916 when the French passenger line the Sussex was destroyed and over 50 lives were lost. Out of the 50 people that died none were American, but France was our Ally and this event led Woodrow Wilson to state that if an incident of this caliber were to happen again, he would sever diplomatic ties with Germany. Germany agreed to the Sussex pledge, which restricted use of German U-boats so they had to identify that the ship was armed and wait for all passengers to exit the premises safely before they could attack it. When the Germans reinstated unrestricted submarine warfare we declared war on the Germans for the sake of saving lives of innocent Americans and Allies. The Germans could have avoided the killing of innocent Americans, but they kept strong with their brutal policies. This is why we declared war to stop the cruel, cold-blooded killings of harmless American and Allied Soldiers aboard non threatening nautical vessels.
ReplyDeleteThe unrestricted use of submarines by the German Navy is the most significant reason for the US entering World War I on the side we did. The unrestricted use of submarines allowed the German Navy to freely use submarines to their advantage and conquer their enemy. The German Navy can use submarines for sneak attacks or just regular full fledged attacks. The German Navy did take advantage over the unrestricted use of submarines and used it to defeat the U.S. and its allies. This unrestricted use led to the sinking of the Lusitania which was sank by torpedoes from the German Army. The Germans did not warn the U.S. whatsoever and a large amounts of deaths resulted from this. Our own people along with the people of the countries we chose to ally were killed. After the sinking of Lusitania, Germany promised to warn liners before they attack. Despite this promise, in 1916, Germany still sunk the French ship Sussex without warning. This led President Wilson to establish the Sussex Pledge in which Germany will stop sinking liners without warning or U.S will cut diplomatic relations with Germany. Wilson was still trying to avoid war at the time and told each boat about this pledge before they set sail. Despite the pledge, the Germans renew their "unrestricted submarine warfare"(Gulotta WWI powerpoint) and still attacked liners without warning thus leading to the U.S cutting diplomatic relations with Germany. The U.S now had a good reason to enter World War I and end their period of isolationism. The Germans refused to obey the Sussex pledge; they still chose to attack without warning. More and more Americans are getting killed along with many other people from different countries. The Germans are attacking them thus meaning that the U.S should defend itself. The U.S now has a good incentive to enter the war; this allows the U.S to enter the war without seeming to enter the war for no good cause. The unrestricted use of Submarines by the German Navy gave the U.S a reason to fight thus making it the main reason why they should enter World War I on the Allied side against the Germans and the Central Powers.
ReplyDeleteGermany's use of unrestricted submarine warfare was a majorly significant reason for the U.S. entering the Great War on the side of the Allies. The primary service the U.S. government provides is safety and security for its people. While America wanted to stay neutral, Germany essentially attacked us in more than one field. The use of unrestricted submarine warfare interrupted the freedom of the seas, which not only directly effected trade and thus, economy, but also the security of American lives. When 128 American lives were lost aboard the Lusitania, it quite possibly could have served as reason enough for the U.S. to enter the war against Germany. It was an act of terrorism in which innocent Americans were killed. It was in fact Germany whom had the first offensive against the U.S. and not the other way around. Furthermore, once the agreement was made for Germany to warn before attacking was made, unrestricted submarine warfare did not lessen or become less ruthless. Although Germany was technically acting in accordance with U.S. agreements, it continued to interfere with the freedom of seas and in turn, America. The U.S. could not have "no more backbone than a chocolate eclair," as stated by Theodore Roosevelt. Germany was seen to be in violation with U.S. agreements in which we stated to declare war if unrestricted submarine warfare were to persist. Thus, the U.S. entered the war on the side of the Allies when it did because of Germany's continued use of unrestricted submarine warfare, a means of warfare that should have been ended.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are myriad reasons for the United States entering World War I, the cause that was most influential to push the tide was the money owed in credit to U.S. from the Allies. During the first escapades occurring in Europe, the United States attempted to stay neutral and stand by Woodrow Wilson’s policy notion that evidently got him reelected. Meanwhile, the Allies were trying to figure out ways to pay for their war expenses. Wilson’s plan did hold out long as the U.S. began to send forms of encouragement, by lending U.S. money. The United States accumulated a jaw-dropping 23 billion for “the American war effort.”(Boorstin 563) And about 10 billion was sent in war loans to the Allies (Boorstin 563). If we implemented indexation to these numbers they would be outrageous by today’s standards. Relating back to Mr.Gulotta’s main cause of war, greed, the Americans felt as though the loans were a 10 billion dollar investment that had to be guarded at any cost. As some economists would say, if they Allies lost so would the United States because of the large sum of American of money injected into the Allies side of the war. And it would be detrimental to the U.S economic well- being if that money was lost. Overall, greed in protecting the war loans was the key component for the United States entry into the war.
ReplyDeleteSources:
Boorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. A History of the United
States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 2007. Print.
Mr.Gulotta
World War I which began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918 was
ReplyDeletethe resurgence of imperialism. Though it was provoked by the assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary,
several alliances formed over the previous decades gave notices of war.
When the First World War broke out, the world’s great powers were divided into
two opposing alliances: the Allies of the United Kingdom, France and Russia and the
Central powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
After the Austro-Hungarians attacked the Serbia and the Germans invaded neutral
Belgium and Luxembourg for the preparation of attacking France, the Russian and
Britain could not help fighting against the Central powers. France confronted with
Germany. In November the Ottoman Empire declared the war, opening up fronts
in the Caucasus, Mesopotamia and the Sinai. Italy and Bulgaria went to war in 1915
and Romania in 1916.
When WW I broke out, the United States pursued the policy of ‘non intervention’,
which avoided the direct conflict with the great European War. When a German U-
boat sank the British liner RMS on 7 May 1915 with 128 Americans among the dead,
USA tried to keep them out of war. President Woodrow Wilson was reelected in
1916 in spite of the counter movement of the war with the standpoint like "America
is too proud to fight".
But Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in January 1917, USA realized
the reality of WW I. The Zimmerman Telegram, in which the German Foreign
Minister invited Mexico to join the war as Germany's ally against the United States,
accelerated the entrance of it. The diplomatic proposal from German Empire to
Mexico, intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, outraged American public
opinion and helped generate support for the USA declaration of war in April.
The message by the Foreign Secretary of the German Empire, Arthur Zimmerman to
the German ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt, included the anticipation
of the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany on 1 February.
Also he instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the U.S. appeared likely to enter
the war, he was to approach the Mexican Government with a proposal for military
alliance, with funding from Germany. Mexico was promised territories in Texas, New
Mexico and Arizona which had been lost to the United States from 1836 to 1848.
Zimmerman ordered Eckardt to urge Mexico to help broker an alliance between
Germany and the Japanese Empire.
Wilson released the Zimmerman note to the public and called for war on Germany,
calling on antiwar elements to end all wars, by winning this one and eliminating
militarism from the globe. The U.S. Congress declared war against Germany on 6
April 1917. But the United States, refusing to be formally a member of the Alliances,
followed up a self-styled "Associated Power" , because of the persisting of non
intervention and participating in the latter half of WW I.
I conclude that U.S. did not want to intervene to European War at the brake out of
war. But after the decoding of Zimmerman Note and the awareness of the reality
of Imperialism including specially Germany, U.S. made a decision to shoulder the
responsibility of world peace.
The United States entered WWI on the allied side on April 6, 1917 because of the Zimmerman Telegram. Due to the transatlantic cable, all telegrams going to the Americas had to first pass through England. The German Foreign Minister named Arthur Zimmerman who was also the German Minister to Mexico, sent a telegram to Mexico in January of 1917. The telegram offered U.S territory to Mexico in return for joining the Central Powers. The British waited until February until finally presenting the telegram to President Woodrow Wilson. The contents of the telegram was later released to the press, and the American people agreed with fighting against the Germans. The United States joined the war with the allied side seeing the Germans as the aggressor.
ReplyDeleteAlthough all five of the options listed above were factors in America joining the Allied side, none were more significant than the unrestricted use of German submarines. This was how the German navy enforced a blockade upon the allied forces. Both sides in the war were using blockades, but the British blockade was done in the traditional way of stopping ships, saving civilians, and making sure that they truly were the enemy. The Germans however utilized a much more reckless form where they sink everything, because if they surface, their submarines could easily be punctured and sunk. This however backfired when the Germans started killing Americans as well as the Allies. First, was the Lusitania which was sunk on May 7, 1915, where the Germans sunk a luxury liner that killed 128 American citizens. Although there were supplies on the ship, the Germans didn't make any effort to save the civilians. Then, after they sunk the French ship Sussex without any warning, they promised the US they will stop sinking ships without warnings. However, on February 1, 1917 Germany renewed their unrestricted submarine warfare. In response, the US severs all diplomatic ties two days later. Throughout history this has been a predictor of war: first diplomatic ties are severed, then they fight against the other country, which was seen in wars against Britain or Mexico. In Woodrow Wilson's address to congress to convince them to support the joining of the war, his first paragraphs are all devoted to the German use of submarines, and even says that, "The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind." Clearly if the president of the United States uses this as his main justification of warfare, then it must have been the most significant event that led them towards war.
ReplyDeleteWilson's Speech can be found here:
http://www.heritage.org/initiatives/first-principles/primary-sources/woodrow-wilsons-war-message-to-congress
3. The Zimmermann Note
ReplyDeletePrior to the Zimmermann Note, Germany had already declared unlimited submarine warfare. Wilson hoped to stay out of Europe so he broke off diplomatic relations, and the United States remained out of the War. The Zimmermann Note was an indirect attack on the United States. The German foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann asked Mexico to join the Germans, and in return Germany would help them take Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico from the United States. The note was significant because it threatened American soil, and in response to it, Wilson asked Congress for the right to arm American merchant ships and to take measures to protect American trade. Wilson had the note published and it opened the countries eyes to the reality of the threat of Germany. “A wave of anger swept the country”(Boorstin and Kelley 555). It gave Wilson the countries support behind the Armed Ship bill, which passed in the House by 403 to 13. This was the first step in naval combat against German submarines, which would surely develop into the United States entering the War against Germany.
Tipper Higgins
The United States attempted to stay out of the first World War for as long as possible. Since the United States was not directly being attacked there wasn’t a need for us to. This all changed with the interception of the Zimmerman Note. Germany’s foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, attempted to send a telegram to Mexico: this telegram promised to recover the United States territory that they had lost if Mexico joined the German offense. When Great Britain intercepted and decoded this telegram they sent it to the Woodrow Wilson. Since this was a direct threat towards the United States, Wilson felt obligated to protect his country. Germany sinking the Lusitania was overlooked as non-direct, yet now there was no avoiding the fact that Germany was now the direct aggressor. Believing that there would be no peaceful alternative Wilson decided that America needed to join the offense with the Allie’s force. The Zimmerman Telegram was the final and most significant push that America needed to finally join the first World War.
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that the unrestricted German use of submarines is the main reason for the U.S joining the war on the allied side at the time it did, on the sixth of April 1917.
ReplyDeleteWhile the British Blockade of Germany was a threat to the freedom of the seas so valued by the neutral United States, this did not harm any American citizens. In addition, american citizens couldn't see that the Germans were suffering from hunger; the blockade had little effect on the American public. On the other hand, with the sinking of the British ship, "The Lusitania," on May 7th 1915, 128 Americans were killed in an unprovoked attack. Not only does this break the freedom of the seas so valued by American business, but it also served as an attack on innocent civilians from a neutral country. This is vital to America joining the war on the side it did as we can see from every attack on America in the past two hundred years, such as Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and the U.S.S Maine, that America and american citizens will always respond to unprovoked attacks.
Following the sinking of the Lusitania, Woodrow Wilson announced the Sussex pledge which stated that unless Germany gave sufficient warning of attack in each different case, the U.S would end diplomatic relationships with Germany. When Germany broke the Sussex pledge on February first 1917, their fate was effectively sealed. On April 6th 1917, America officially joined the war on the allies side.
For these reasons I feel America joined the war mainly because of Germany's unrestricted submarine use. Without the attack on the Lusitania, americans have no "honour" to defend, without Germany breaking the Sussex pledge, America don't end diplomatic relationships with Germany.
Although there are many reasons for America entering WWI when it did with the allies, the main reason was the unrestricted use of submarines. As WWI commenced quite a bit of it was fought by each sides navy, blockades were even formed by Britain to reduce the supplies going into Germany. However, Germany chose a more violent method of using submarines to sink any ship that they came in contact with. This scared Americans because submarines were sinking passenger ships and killing innocent civilians. On May 7th, 1915, the German's sunk the Lusitania, a passenger ship, that killed 128 innocent US citizens. After this indecent and a few others, the Germans promised the US that they would stop the sinking of passenger ships without fair notice, but again the Germnans kept sinking ships with no warning. With this the US said they would go to war with Germany if they did it again. As it continued, in 1917, the US declared war on the triple alliance. I believe that because the US had been pushed to enter the war before all of these violations of the freedom of the seas, after these events occurred, the US had no choice but to enter to defend our own citizens.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there were several reasons as to why the United States joined World War One on the side that they did, the most significant reason was the interception of the Zimmermann Note. The Zimmermann Note, also referred to as the Zimmermann Telegram, was a telegram sent from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt. In the note, Zimmermann presented an offer to von Eckhardt. He said that if Mexico were to join the war with the Central Powers, then Germany would assist them in recovering the territory they lost to the US. This lost territory included Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Unfortunately for Germany, the British were able to intercept and decode the telegram, prompting them to send it immediately to President Woodrow Wilson. The British were happy to do so because they figured that after Wilson saw the telegram, the US would likely join the war on the Allie’s side. They were right. After Wilson saw the telegram, he knew he had to get American citizens to see Germany as a severe threat to the US. In order to do so, he published the note in newspapers across the country. The American citizens responded exactly how Wilson had hoped; finally realizing that Germany was the aggressor in the situation, and supporting the decision to go to war. Soon following this change of heart within the American people, the US officially entered World War One as part of the Allied Powers on April 6th, 1917.
ReplyDelete-McErlean
The United States had several reasons to enter WWI, such as the German submarines and the loans to the Allies, but none of these reasons triggered americans to believe that the US should enter the War like the Zimmerman Note. This was a message sent from Germany to Mexico through the transatlantic telegraph cable. The Message was intercepted in England later sent to America. In America it was published in several newspapers and Americans started to think that the US should perhaps join the War on the Allied side. This note was also taken as an offence by many Americans and later on played a huge role supporting the decision of joining WWI.
ReplyDeletePedro Escobar
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare declared by Germany in 1915 was definitively a turning point during the first World War. Previously there had been tension between The Triple Alliance composed of Germany and Austro-Hungary, and their counterparts France, Great Britain, Russia, and Italy, which formed the Triple Entente. After the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, the Germans were in need of a secure win in the war. Although the country had already signed to allow Freedom of the Seas for a neutral America, a German U-Boat opened fire on the British weapon-smuggling luxury liner The Lusitania on May 7th, 1915. The American interest was caught due to the fact that 128 American passengers were killed in the sinking. This shock lead to a nationwide disdain towards Germany through sensationalism created by newspapers and word of mouth. The United States commenced its National Defense Act which increased the Army size from 106,000 to 175,000 men, with the Navy was doubling in size within three years. Germany had commenced a new type of "devilish" warfare, and the American opinion was that they had to be stopped. The Sussex Pledge was an attempt by President Woodrow Wilson to control German naval warfare after the sinking of the French ship The Sussex. It stated that if Germany was to attack a liner that transported people, they would have to warn the crew members of their intent as to avoid lethal harm to any and all passengers. Although they pledged to stop sinking liners without warning, German High Command renewed Unrestricted Submarine Warfare on February 1st, 1917. This meant that once again, the Germans were an enigma in their control over the world's oceans. On February 3rd, America officially severed all diplomatic ties just as warned. Wilson truly wanted to make the world safer for democracy, and knew that the Germans had to be stopped by the Triple Entente.
ReplyDeleteSources:
Delete(1) Gulotta, Bill. "Panama Canal - WWI." Berkshire School, Sheffield. 28 Mar. 2013. Lecture.
Eloise Morrow
ReplyDeleteDespite the U.S’s attempts to not involve themselves in the entanglements of WWII on December 8,1941 the U.S approved the declaration of war and entered on the side of the Allied forces. There was not one soul cause that catapulted the U.S into war but out of the constant prodding the most significant was the Zimmerman note. This telegram, which was written by Germany with the intent to reach Mexico, depicted the desire for Mexico to invade the US. In return, Mexico would be promised territories in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Fortunately however the message was intercepted by British intelligence and made public to the US. This caused an immense amount of chaos to ensue within the U.S as it was blatantly revealed that Germany saw the U.S as a threat. Naturally citizens wanted to respond to this and an immense amount of propaganda against Germany began to surface. Although after receiving this telegram the U.S did not engage in war the next day, it strongly helped to shift the focus in that direction as people began to realized that Germany, and the axis powers may pose a threat to the freedoms of American society.
The main reason the US entered the war was because of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. Prior to this, the US had mainly been trading with the Allies because Britain blockaded Germany, preventing the US from trading with the Central Powers. This upset the neutral US because Britain was violating the "freedom of the seas." The US realized that they couldn't continue trading with only the Allies and still be neutral. When Germany started using submarines, many innocent Americans were unfortunately the result of collateral damage. On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sunk the Lusitania, killing 128 Americans in addition to destroying war supplies stored on the ship. A year later, Germany sunk the French ship Sussex. As a compromise, Germany signed the Sussex Pledge, which stated that Germany can not sink any ship without warning, or the US will cut all diplomatic relations. Meanwhile, the US, sensing an inevitable involvement in the war, began preparedness and increased their Army and Navy. On February 1, 1917, Germany declared their "Unrestricted Submarine Warfare," breaking the Sussex Pledge. Two days later, the US cut all diplomatic ties with Germany. Even though the Zimmerman note was the last straw that pushed the US into WW1, Germany's "Unrestricted Submarine Warfare" was the main reason the US entered WW1 because they ruthlessly killed many Americans and in order to put an end to this and ensure American safety, Wilson finally decided to declared war specifically to make the "world safe for democracy."
ReplyDeleteSources: Mr. Gulotta's powerpoint
- Nicky Friedman
The US stood strong and neutral for the beginning, but soon ran out of patience on December 8, 1941 when they declare war against Germany. There are many significant reasons as why US passed the declaration of War, however the most significant was the Zimmerman Note. The US had already been frustrated from the attacks of German Submarines on ships with innocent Americans present, but chose to remain neutral showing their strong will. When a note from Arthur Zimmerman, German Foreign Administer, was intercepted by Great Britain and relayed to the US, only then did the US start to run out of patience. The message was intended for Mexico, asking them to join in Alliance with Germany, for in return they would help Mexico recapture Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas back from the US. This upset the Americans deeply because they had accepted apologies and pledges from German submarines, and now Germany was still brave enough to threaten the US. As you can imagine the US was furious and on verge of joining allies with Great Britain. A few days later, on March 15, another American Vessel was sunk by a German Submarine killing six Americans. This was the final draw for the US, and they declared war a few months later. There are many things that were accumulated before the US declared war, but the Zimmerman Note final broke the US government's willingness to remain Neautral
ReplyDelete-Isiah Nunez
The United States entered the First World War due to the Germans Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. The unsanctioned, unwarned, spontaneous killing of 128 innocent American civilians by the Germans was plenty enough for us to go to war over. There are other elements to the equation, however; I firmly believe that all other events aside, The Unites States would have declared war on Germany solely over the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7th 1915. A year later, in 1916, Germany signed a pledge with the United States stating that they would no longer sink ships without warning. A year following, Germany broke the Sussex pledge when they renewed their policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking any and all ships Germans found in what they declared war waters. The United States but all diplomatic ties with Germany, for this this Violated the United States' idea of freedom of the seas. We felt with the Germans breaking our policy of freedom, however; the idea of more innocent killings pushed us over the edge and resulted in the United States' Entry into War on April 6th 1917.
ReplyDelete-Michael Schiffer
Sources: Gulotta: Class Notes
Germany’s unrestricted use of submarines is the most pertinent reason for the US entering the war when they did. The United States was on its way from Neutral to Allied after Great Britain used its surface fleet to blockade German ports. This meant that America could not sell to the Central Powers. It was also a direct violation of the “freedom of the seas” principle. Since Germany is not able to receive any new supplies by sea, they begin to have food shortages. Since Germany could not fight England on the surface, they decided to fight from below the surface – with submarines. Submarines were terrifying, for they lashed out instant impact to its target and were very effective, thus resulting in a great loss of life and money to the United States. The catalyst of America’s decision to join the Allied Powers was the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915. 128 American were killed on this British luxury liner, which also happened to be carrying war supplies. This upset not only Wilson, president of the time, but the American public as well. The Lusitania was the subject matter of many newspapers and sensationalistic media; it painted Germany in a devilish light, and the British blockade that prevented American business was soon forgotten. Wilson has Germany promise to warn Liners carrying innocent people, but soon after, in 1916, Germany ruthlessly sinks the French ship Sussex without warning. This greatly angered Wilson and Americans, with the deaths of the Lusitania fresh in their minds and hearts. Americans wanted to take down the Germans and make them pay for what they had done. America became an Ally.
ReplyDeleteThe Zimmerman note was the significant reason for US entering WWI on the Allies’ side in 1917. The Zimmerman note was a diplomatic message from Germany to Mexico suggesting Mexico to start war against the United States. However, Germany’s plan was an utter failure. The note was intercepted by the British, and Mexico, knowing that they could not match the United States’ military, refused the proposal. The intercepted note was handed to Woodrow Wilson, and this triggered the United States’ entrance into WWI on the Allies’ side. First of all, the Zimmerman note was Germany’s direct threat to the United States. It was the proof and indicator of Germany’s hostility towards the United States. Knowing Germany’s intention and with having been threatened by Germany, the United States had no choice but to declare war against Germany because Germany would have declared war on US. Furthermore, the Zimmerman note pushed the US into WWI by ending the high-rising tension between the US and Germany. At that time, the US was on the verge of going on war with the turbulent diplomatic situation going on. Germany’s usage of Submarines, the Lusitania incident, and the Sussex incident built up the anxiety, and finally the Zimmerman note evoked US to declare war against Germany. Lastly, the Zimmerman note and its revelation by President Wilson enraged and stirred the American public. Without the support of the public, a country cannot go to war. The Zimmerman note enraged the public and the furious Americans urged and supported the United States’ declaration of war against Germany, thereby pushing US into war.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason that the United States joined the side of the allies in World War One was because of German use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Not only did this cut off many of America's trade ports, but it also endangered Freedom of the Seas. Germany was clever in the sense of using underwater travel instead of above land, but they did not think through the fact that America would react like this. Also, once the Germans sunk the Lusitania in 1915, it seemed to be the last straw for Americans. Germany used cunning skills to provoke America into war, as we were one of the strongest nations in the world and having us in the war would make for a more involved battle, but Germany underestimated us and our abilities. Wilson made the right decision in the end after Germans had put America through enough with their unrestricted submarine warfare. Later on, with the sinking of the Sussex, America had really had enough and Wilson was outraged. This was the tipping point for America joining the war, and now Germany was up against a force to be reckoned with.
ReplyDeleteThe Zimmerman Note was not only a significant reason for the United States to enter in World War I, but also decided which side we would aid in the battle. The Zimmerman Note itself was sent by Aurther Zimmerman, of the German empire, to the German ambassador in Mexico. The focus of the telegram was a request that Mexico attack the United States. In return for their help, Mexico would gain back the land lost from the Mexican cession and California. This was the most significant reason why President Wilson asked for a declaration of war. This was the first legitimately aggressive act, by the Germans through the medium of Mexican soldiers, to attack the United States. Germany hoped that Mexico would agree to invade the US, and then Wilson would have to fight a two front battle, which would delay his transportation of US soliders to Europe. This is also a very important message because it clearly draws out which side the US will join. Since the message was decoded by British intelligence, and then sent to Woodrow Wilson, the US would join with the Allies. The telegram also helped President Wilson convince citizens that there was no other option but to join in the war effort. Since Mexico is such a close neighbor to the United States, the fear of them invading made many discerning Americans who were anti-war realize that the danger of attack was a very real possibility. The telegram was the most signigicant reason for going to war on the side of the Allies because Germany was now targeting the US as an enemy, and reaching out to other countries to declare war on us. It scared Americans into the war, while also given President Wilson a liable and justified reason to cease neutrality.
ReplyDeleteWork Cited:
"Arthur Zimmermann (German Statesman)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. .
-Austin Brandt
After months of the US not being involved in war, reasons began to build up for entering WWI on the British side when we did. Among these reasons were The Zimmerman Note, the commonality of the English and the American culture, and the money extended to Britain from the US, yet the primary motivation behind President Wilson’s decision to enter war was because of Germany’s resumption of submarine attacks on passenger ships. Merchant ships were being sunk and despite the US being neutral, Americans were victims. Not only did this jeopardize American lives, it also hurt American trade: other neutral ships were hesitant to sail to the US, wary of being sunk. The last straw for American’s was when the German U-boat, which killed 1195 people, 128 Americans included, sank the Lusitania, which carried war supplies onboard. Americans were outraged to hear that their brothers and sisters were killed, ultimately having the biggest influence on the American decision to enter the war. The unrestricted submarines simply had detrimental effects on the US economy and livelihood, so in an effort to stop it the US joined the war on the Allied side.
ReplyDelete- Pape
The US entered World War I because of the money they extended to the allies in credit. The allies were struggling, and the US knew that if the allies lost, they would not be able to pay back their debt to the US. Britain and France was using loans from the US to finance their war. These two countries borrowed over 2 billion dollars from the US, while Germany only borrowed about 27 million. When factoring in inflation, this meant that Britain and France owed the US over $92 billion. In addition, Britain was buying a huge amount of weapons and arms from the US on credit. Clearly, if the allies were not able to pay back these loans made by American bankers the US could face an economic collapse. The money owed to the US by the allies gave them no choice but to join the war, because America could not afford to put its economy at risk.
ReplyDeleteSource:
"The United States Enters WWI." The United States Enters WWI. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.
Although all the reasons stated above are key factors to why the U.S. entered WWI, I believe the most significant event that drew the U.S. into WWI was the interception of the Zimmerman Note. The Zimmerman Note was a telegram sent from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt. In this note contained information regarding Mexico regaining Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, territories they previously lost to the U.S. In order for Mexico to acquire their prior territory they would have to join the Central Powers with Germany. However, the British intercepted this telegram, decoded it and immediately informed President Wilson in hopes that the U.S. would join the Allie's side. The British successfully executed their plan and President Wilson announced the Germans as aggressors by publishing the Zimmerman note in newspapers across the country. Americans reacted in an uproar agreeing with the idea that Germans were the aggressors in this situation, With this in mind, the U.S. entered the war with the Allies on April 6th , 1917.
ReplyDeleteThese five opinions on what drove America into joining the World War are all accurate, but the most important factor was the unrestricted use of Submarines by the German Navy. The Americans became enraged when they became aware that the German Navy had submarines in the ocean targeting American ships. This was a blockade tactic that both sides were using to eliminate any resources enhancing the abilities of the other forces. America was supplying England with supplies for war and bringing them on cruise ships with American civilians. Although England was performing a proper blockade on the ocean by stopping ships, boarding and searching them, German was not. They sunk every ship, not even surfacing and allowing any explanation, afraid of being sunk themselves, if they were to surface. Their tactic was very affective because it was an instant terrifying impact. Since America was sending supplies to England with American citizens, German did not hesitate to kill innocent Americans. America warned On May 7th, 1915 German sunk the Lusitania and 128 Americans were killed that contained war supplies. America was devastated. Germany did not make any effort to save these lives, they only cared about the supplies being destroyed. They did not stop here. They went on to sink the French ship ‘Sussex’. America forced Germany to sign the Sussex pledge that promised they would stop sinking Liners without warning or the U.S. will cut diplomatic relations with Germany. This pledge was broken and America was forced to cut all ties with Germany. When ties are severed, war follows, simple procedure. It was not a hard task for Woodrow Wilson to convince Congress to support him in bringing America to the war with the England and France. His first and major point was the sinking of US ships by the German Navy submarines. The Congress was forced to agree by these appalling circumstances. It was America’s duty to join the war and protect its own civilians as well.
ReplyDeleteAlli Toffolon
In my opinion, the most significant reason why the US went to war against Germany was German Navy’s unrestricted submarine warfare. During the war, the German Navy used submarines as means of blockading the Allied force’s naval routes. Because of the effectiveness of submarines, Germans could easily penetrate through the ships’ hulls, sinking them with ease, leading to German Navy targeting indiscriminately, disregarding the status of the passengers onboard. For example, the British ship Lusitania was sunk in 1915, leading to both British and American casualties. Even though this is understandable as this is the nature of warfare, in the US’s perspective, this is an act of hostility, causing US to issue a warning to Germany. Then in 1916, they sunk the French ship Sussex, followed by Germany promising not to use submarines afterward. However, in 1917, Germany continued using the submarine warfare. The broken promise was a final sign the US needed to join the war on the Allied side, with Woodrow Wilson stated, as Tim Earnst pointed out in the comments above, “The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.”
ReplyDeleteNguyen Nguyen
I believe that the unrestricted use of Submarines by the German Navy in 1917 was the most significant reason for the United States to enter World War I. The United States and president Wilson was trying to avoid war and remain neutral. By doing this, the United States would be able to trade with both sides. When the German Navy started a blockade against any possible military supplies in or out of enemy nations that, they sunk and killed trading ships and civilians. Not only were they violating the “Freedom of the Seas”, they were immoral by not even trying to save innocent lives. This tension heightened when the Lusitania, a cruise liner, was sunk by submarines because of suspicion that there were carrying war-like materials on May 7, 1915. 128 innocent lives were killed without any effort to save them. The German Navy had no tolerance for anyone that was suspected to be aiding the enemy. On March 24, 1916 the Sussex Ferry was torpedoed killing 50 French Lives. This led to the Sussex Pledge Agreement on May 4th, 1916 that stated that the German Navy must end Unrestricted use of Submarines or else the United States would end all diplomatic ties with Germany. Essentially meaning that the U.S was to going to battle with Germany should they continue with these acts of war. However, On February 1st of 1917 Germany reenacted unrestricted Submarine Warfare forcing the United States into war. This act by Germany, I believe, is the biggest reason as to why the United States entered into World War I. It only took two days for the United States to cut all diplomatic ties with Germany and soon enough in April of that same year, they were at war. However, the other reasons that were listed above were all big contributing factors for United States to enter the war. Overall the United States had no choice.
ReplyDeleteJeff Thompson
Patsalos-Fox
ReplyDeleteIronically, a build up of events in result of to President Wilson's efforts to keep the peace, lead us to join war. He sent Colonel Edward House, an advisor of his to keep the peace in Europe, this was unsuccessful. Wilson seemed to feel as if both sides were too power hungry to give up the fight. (Boorstin Kelley, 554). Due to this, on January 12, 1917, he suggested a "peace without victory." Soon after, Germany declared they would practice 'unlimited submarine warfare.,' resulting in a cut of diplomatic ties between themselves and America. Contrary to President Wilson's hopes, Germany plotted against us. (Boorstin Kelley, 555) A foreign minister, Zimmerman, sent a coded note to Mexico requesting that they join forces in return for their aid in the reclaim of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico from America. News of this reached President Wilson by the British. (Boorstin Kelley, 555) In response to this, WIlson developed a plan to unite and anger the Americans, and encourage the congress to accept his proposal to arm ships. He published the Zimmerman note for all to see. His plan was successful, and by March 4th, 1917, he had armed American Merchant ships naming this movement 'armed neutrality.' (Boorstin Kelley, 555) Slowly, Wilson's plans to maintain neutrality and peace were deteriorating due to the Zimmerman note. Soon, the man who had won an election with the slogan 'He kept us out of war,' could no longer keep us out of war. (Boorstin Kelley, 555) On April 2, 1917, he requested a declaration of war on Germany. He said that "the world, must be made safe for democracy for the rights and liberties of small nations." (Boorstin Kelley, Slowly but surely many events, finishing with the Zimmerman note, had broken WIlson, and we went to war.
Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks Mather Kelley. A History of The United States. Illustrated ed. Vol. 6. Needham, MA: Prentice Hall, 2004. Print. Annotated.
The Zimmerman Note was very significant in contributing to United States’ decision in entering WWI. The Zimmerman Telegram was the first aggressive act on the United States by Germany. The Zimmerman Telegram was a secret, coded, telegram from the German Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent to Germany’s ambassador in Mexico in early 1917. The Zimmerman Telegram told Mexico that they should go to war with the United States and reclaim the land they had lost in the Mexican-American War with the help of Germany. In return, Mexico would support Germany. Somehow, the British managed to decode and decipher the message and share it with the United States. This angered the United States greatly because it shows that Germany was trying to plot against the country. The day after the United States was informed about this telegraph, President Woodrow Wilson proposed to Congress “that the U.S. should start arming its ships against possible German attacks” (Zimmermann Telegram published in United States) Wilson also allowed the State Department to make the Telegram public, as well as publish his “The Zimmerman Note” in newspapers across America that labeled the Germans as aggressors. On April 2, 1917, Wilson requested a message of war from Congress and four days later, the United States formally entered World War 1 on the Allies side. Wilson stated, "The world, must be made safe for democracy for the rights and liberties of small nations." (Boorstin Kelley). The Zimmerman Note is the most significant reason why America entered the war because it was the final straw for our country. The Zimmerman note helped change public opinion and encouraged people to want to join the war. If the British never discovered this telegram, America would not have joined the war on the Allies side and World War I would have been very different.
ReplyDelete"Zimmermann Telegram Published in United States." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. .
DeleteBoorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. A History of the United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 1981. Print.
The first World War started out as a conflict caused by the greed for power and the intolerance between the empires of Europe. America has once been warned by its first president George Washington, in his farewell address, to stay way from "the entangling alliances" of Europe. Following this principal, this country tried to remain firm in its neutrality and to use this war as an opportunity to trade with European countries. However, one main element pushed even the peace-loving Woodrow Wilson to declare our entrance to the war on the side of the Alliances: it was the unrestricted use of German navy during World War I.
ReplyDeleteThe Germans' strongest war advantage was their 27 submarines fleet. However, these submarines, although very efficient, were openly taking innocent lives, many of those from the neutral America. They were violating the international law allowing ships from neutral countries to sail wherever they wanted and trade with whoever they wanted. This was a big disadvantage for Germany in terms of international relation. The Lusitania incident on May 7 1915, for example, created a very bad image for Germany in the eyes of America. The Lusitania, a civil luxury liner sailing off the coast of Ireland carrying the American flag, was attacked by German submarines. This incident took 1198 lives, of which 128 were Americans. Although the Germans were not completely wrong, because the ship was carrying an enormous amount of war supplies for the Allies, they clearly violated the international law. Furthermore, the American press, such as the New York Times, were stimulating hatred and anger in the society by releasing exaggerated statistics and dramatized stories following this event.
After this event, Wilson's effort for peace seemed to be almost overcome by the anger of the Americans when German submarines continued to roam the international seas and sank the Arabic, taking two American lives. Although they took an oath not to harm unarmed liners, they continued to sink the French Channel Steamer Sussex. Immediately fearing the intervention of the powerful US, Germany takes the Sussex pledge on May 31, 1916 and once again promise to warn the ships before attacking.
Although this pledge seemed to have calmed the resentment that existed in America, the tension with Germany was still apparent. With the blockade made by the British that was starving Germany, the Germans decided to take action. Misunderstanding the condition of the Sussex pledge, they gave a general warning of releasing unlimited submarine warfare and considered that they have respected all rules of the pledge. However, President Wilson, who wanted the warning to be individual and specific to each ship that were their target, decided to take this as a violation of the pledge and cut off all diplomatic ties with Germany. This reaction reflects the country's readiness to go to war.
Linh Vo
Each of the five reasons above undoubtedly influenced Americas decision to go to war when it did on the side it did. Although, the most significant had to be the Zimmerman note due to its immediate reaction of declaring war against Germany. The Zimmerman note was so important because it was a direct, clear threat aimed at the United States. The note was a formal letter written to the German Minister of Mexico by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann. The note was intercepted and decoded by Great Britain and immediately sent to the United States as both a warning and reason to join the Allies. The note stated that if Mexico was willing to attack America and join the Central powers, Germany would make it worth while. In return for holding off American troops from Europe, Germany promised they would help Mexico regain land recently lost in the Mexican Cession including territories in Texas, New Mexico and Nevada. This note evidently scared and upset furthermore Wilson and the American people and Wilson hastily and unanimously was given the right to declare war. When Zimmerman note was received, the United States now needed to protect its land, freedom and people from a foreign threat, with no choice but to go to war.
ReplyDeleteThere were many reasons the United States entered the war. The number one cause of WW1, in my opinion, is the German’s use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany used submarines to stop and destroy ships destined for Great Britain. This violated the principle of the freedom of seas, which applied even in times of war. The agreement was that Germany would warn any vessel and allow every passenger to be safely removed from the ship before Germany destroyed it. On May 7, 1915 the Germans sunk the Lusitania, a German passenger ship, killing 128 Americans. This sparked controversy in the capital. To make things worse, less then a year later in March 1916 the Germans sank the French ship the “Sussex” without any warning. This angered many people and led to the Sussex pledge which stated that Germany would stop sinking liners without warning or the United States would cut diplomatic relations. Not coincidentally the US National Defense Act 1916 was passed making plans for the US Navy to double in size within three years. In February 1917 German high command renews “unrestricted submarine warfare” violating the Sussex pledge and severing diplomatic ties between the countries. Now that the United States no longer had ties with Germany, there was little conflict for Wilson and congress to declare war on Germany in support of the allies. Germany’s use of unrestricted warfare is what allowed for the United States to enter the war without being the “bad guy” and violating any agreements themselves.
ReplyDeleteEvery one of the five reasons stated above for the U.S to enter the war were extremely significant but ultimately the The Zimmerman Note was the final event that led the American politicians into World War 1. It was a telegram sent from the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico. It was intercepted and decoded by the British who then passed on the message to the Americans. This telegram inquired that Mexico enter the war on the side of the Germans and in return Germany would help them gain territory back from the Americans. Moreover, the only way to acquire territory from another country that was not willing to give it up would be to go to war with them. Therefore this note was seen as a war threat to the Americans and their neutrality. Previous events had aggravated American politicians in their debate to enter the war but the Zimmerman Note was the last straw, which made it so significant. President Woodrow Wilson declared it as a reason to attack in his war message. The American press published news of the telegram on March 1, 1917 and on April 6, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies. The Zimmerman Note was a breach of American tolerance on foreign affairs because it officially put them at risk of being attacked.
ReplyDeletePresident Wilson advocates for the United States to stay out of the foreign conflict between Germany and Great Britain. Nonetheless, several disquieting events were threatening American lives which left the country uneasy about its safety. Eventually, there became more reasons to join than stay neutral. After the build up from sinking the Lusitania and American ships, the United States began to analyze where they stood in their relationship with Germany, and their even greater relationship with Great Britain. Neutrality was no longer an option after the interception of the Zimmerman note that directly threatened the United States, leaving President Wilson no choice but to declare war. The note was written by German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman and then sent to the German ambassador of Mexico. Zimmerman note was a request that Mexico declare war on the United States. In return, the Mexicans were promised help reclaiming Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Although the note never reached its appropriate destination the Mexicans new the promise was nearly impossible considering the American military was one of the most powerful in the world, so they decline. When President Wilson receives the news of interception of the note, regardless of his previous call for “peace without victory” among the nations, it is clear that this vision is nothing but a fantasy. President Wilson is left little choice but to call for war on the side of Great Britain and energize the country to get ready to battle.
ReplyDeleteHannah Cooke (E period)
Although their is not one specific reason why the US entered WWI, the use of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare by the Germans was the most prominant one. The German U-Boats were given orders after the out break of WWI to fire upon all merchant and passanger vessels heading towards England. Although this may sound cruel, the Germans had spies on the loading docks of these ships that saw weapons being loaded to be delivered to the English soldiers. America did not want to ever get directly involved in the war, but it was able to help its allies by supplying them with Military goods. When the Germans began to sink these vessels that were carrying the goods America lost its pipeline to send help and had no choice but to go to war. Many people may argue that the US went to war because of all the lives lost by these attacks, but after the smuggling of weapons and supplies was discovered their is no doubt that submarine warfare instead hurt the Germans. Would you rather have the US sending goods to the English or having them send over their troops with the goods to fight beside the English?
ReplyDelete-Fortenbaugh
The chief reason for why the United States entered World War I was the unrestricted use of submarines by the German Navy. America was attempting to stay neutral but still supply Germany and Great Britain with war supplies. Great Britain began blockading German ports with their ships to stop the U.S. from supplying the enemy. This angered Germany, and caused them to begin using their submarines to kill innocent Americans. First was the Lusitania, which carried over one hundred unknowing civilians. This both frightened and infuriated the United States; especially because of the media spreading the word that Germany was the enemy. Germany then promised President Wilson that they would stop in the Sussex Pledge, but then renewed their unrestricted warfare on February 1st, 1917. In return, America cut all diplomatic ties with them. Whether America liked it or not, they were now involved in World War I. Their innocent citizens were murdered and they had to defend themselves.
ReplyDelete- blake polizzi
credit to Mr. Gulotta's slideshow
Persistence: a frequently admired trait that, in some cases, may ultimately lead to the success of the persevering party, or in other cases, ultimately lead to the downfall of said party. It is defined as “the obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of opposition”, and is what I believe to have been the cause of the fall of Germany at the conclusion of World War I (Oxford American Dictionary). The German’s persistent infringements upon America’s right to freedom of the seas with their navy’s unrestricted use of Submarines, at length, triggered the United States’ entrance into the war against Germany. One of the most infamous examples of when the German navy overstepped their boundaries, was in February of 1915 when the Germans formed a submarine blockade in the British Empire’s oceans, sinking multiple ships, of which included the Lusitania. The sinking of the Lusitania triggered a complete social and media uproar because, of the 1,959 people that were on board, 1,198 died - 128 of which were neutral and innocent Americans. Following this incident, the United States, which had in the past declared itself neutral, threatened the German government, causing them to back down. Then later in February of 1917, only two years after the sinking of the Lusitania, the persistent German navy declared unrestricted submarine warfare, completely undermining the ideals of American neutrality, security, and commerce. They then set about sinking American supply ships in an attempt to starve the British of their necessary goods. This blatant infringement upon the rights of the United States to international commerce, freedom of the seas, and the safety of Americans traveling abroad, ultimately caused the U.S. to enter WWI as an Ally against Germany in 1917.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
"How Did America Get Drawn into the World War 1?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2013. .
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