The most important US contribution to the war was raising war bonds because it helped to found the war. In order to fight in Europe, the federal government need money, but also the support of the people to win. So, it embarked on a massive Liberty or Victory Loan drives, generating millions of dollars. The Secretary of the Treasure used slogans like “Only a friend of Germany would refuse to buy war bonds” to persuade the americans to support the war. Now, the first thing that made the war bonds such a significant contribution, was that it provided the money to purchase weapons and military equipment for the army. Second, the war bonds were used to supply goods, food and medical supplies to American soldiers and English ones in Europe. And
The involvement of the United States in the war was very important for the allied forces that were fighting Germany. If the United States did not get involved than Germany could very well have taken over Europe and then attempted to take over the United States and eventually taking over the world. It is important to help support our allies in a time of need to prevent a war being brought to Americans on United States soil.
A less powerful sway on the American decision to declare war on Germany was U.S. economic interests. The development that occurred from WWI was one of the greatest economic booms in the nation’s history. Because of the status of neutrality, the U.S. had the right to continue trade with belligerent countries, and since there was a need for its general use, metal was the most profitable trade with nations at war. Not only did this benefit the recipient’s economy, but the U.S. economy benefitted greatly from it as well. When the War Industries Board instigated the immediate production ammunition and armor, businesses in industry welcomed the guaranteed business and carried out the request. Trade between the U.S. and Germany diminished to 90% because of extensive, supreme blockade of German ports. The supplies sent on ships such as the Lusitania were considered contraband which was illegal to trade to these countries in Europe at the time. This led not only
Second, another goal of American participation in the war was to ensure financial security. A great number of businessmen from the U.S loaned money out to Great Britain and France with the interest of helping the Allies succeed. Their total contribution was around three billion dollars, all of this was loans, however. The U.S realized that if the allies didn’t win the war against the axis powers, the likelihood of the loans being repaid to the businessmen was fairly slim. The ‘Preparedness Movement’ arose out of this concern, which stated that the U.S should enter the war and support the Allies in order to better ensure their victory. As long as the allies won, the loans would most likely be repaid. A final goal for American participation in the war was to stop unrestricted submarine warfare, which was damaging American ships and crippling the shipping industry. Protecting American shipping was a pretty major goal in entering the war. On January 9, 1917, Germany announced that it would start using unrestricted submarine warfare. The reason for Germany doing this was desperation. They
If the United States didn’t jump in and help defeat Germany they could have had all of Europe to themselves. United States also had another reason to join the war and that happened to be the Germans breaking promises with them, that they made in the past.
After coming out of the Great Depression the United States could not afford to be in anymore debt. From purchasing guns, ammunitions, aircrafts, and warships, the debt was rising dramatically. While the American public supported the troops, the cost of the war would affect America for years to come.
For three years from 1914 to 1917 the U.S sent supplies over to help with fighting the war. We sent things like food and bombs. The total american deaths during that time was only in the hundreds. I feel like if we had just kept sending supplies instead of sending our soldiers, than not as many americans or U.S. soldiers would have died. I think it would have saved our country a lot of money by not joining the war. They had things called War Bonds back then. People could buy War Bonds to send money to help with war efforts and then gain profit from the bonds after the war was over. The U.S would have saved a lot more money just sending supplies and buying war bonds, than all the extra money spent sending all those soldiers over to join
One justification for the United States entering World War I, would be that the United States’ international transactions, money-wise, were affected. The U.S government’s perception would be to enter WWI, so that the loss of profits from Germany would, hopefully, increase the potential profits of loans and exports from France and Britain. Secretary William Jennings Bryan’s message to President Woodrow Wilson, August 10th, 1914 stated, “...because the value of the [loan] would be directly affected by the result of the war…”. This extract from the document, attests that to some extent the United States was justified to enter WWI, because of …
American supported World War I with the War Industries Board, Food Administration, and propaganda. First, the creation of the War Industries Board helped America support the war. The board wanted to increase efficiency by using mass production techniques. For example, instead of making 150 types of ribbons, companies would only make 5 types of ribbons. By increasing the efficiency, America was able produce more goods to send to the soldiers in Europe, thus supporting WWI. In addition, America supported the war with the Food Administration. Food was rationed in America to help conserve resources. Americans began to grow their own crops in their yards called ¨victory gardens¨. The conservation measures resulted in food shipment to Europe to
The World War 1 cost the United States on enormous amount of money, about $32 billion. Two-thirds of this money was raised by selling the American people war bonds, or Liberty Bonds. The federal government also raised money for the war by increasing taxes and requiring a greater number of Americans at rates as high as 70% of their income to support pay the war.
Because of this, the Americans are starting to believe the Allied Powers will have a better chance of winning the war. As the war is starting, both the Central Powers and the Allies are already borrowing nine-hundred ninety-four point one million dollars from the United States combined. As the war progresses the different countries that are fighting are needing America progressively. The Allies and the Central Powers run out of money, so they start asking the banks in the United States to loan them money in order to buy American produce (Slide 104). As the year 1917 begins, the Americans realize that the Allies are using roughly two point five billion dollars on this war while the Central Powers are only using twenty-seven million dollars (Slide 105). America’s involvement in the war could lead to the decline of America’s
The war industries board made sure that the united states had the resources to win the war. Around 2.8 million people were drafted into the army over a two year period. The US has as much support as the can get from the people and the government. Many people saved more food and started to eat rations. Gardens were planted by many people to show their support.
The reasons why America had to get involved in World War I were due to the interception of the Zimmerman note, the sinking of the Lusitania, American propaganda, and U.S. business interests with trade opportunities. American involvement in World War one was due to the German threat to American security and freedom. Reasons why America’s security was threatened include the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmerman note, and Germany had declared unrestricted submarine warfare. Joining the Allied Powers was the only way to eliminate the threat against America’s freedoms. Germany threatened to bring its tyranny and oppression on to American soil.
The United State didn’t feel like they were directly affected until the sinking of the Lusitania ship which was carrying 128 American passengers. Before the United States even declared war on Germany the people wanted to get the armed forces built up because they knew sooner or later they would end up being in the war. After the United Stated announced that they were going to war with Germany, the WW1 Support from Home article stated the minister did his sermon on “the call of God to fight for human liberty for Him”. Because of the rise in patriotism, there were many American that were willing to volunteer to be in the military service. Sadly, there weren’t enough members that volunteered to be in the service, so President Wilson had to get all men ages ranging from 21-31 years old. There were around a thousand of men that went hiding because they did not want to join. The individuals that were at home they saved stamps and they bought war bonds so that they could support the war. By doing this they were lending money to the government and they would receive their money back by getting interest after the war was over. The towns and countries had to meet quotas, and if they did this then they would get an honor flag for them helping to support the war. Individuals also grew food and saved the food. There was not to be any food wasted at this time or there was disapproval. Canning food
World War I (WWI) was funded by loans, but mostly by taxation (“Financing the War” A4). The Congress passed the “War Revenue Act 1917” which increased the income tax to an extent level (“Full Text of War” 5). The act raised money to aid the federal government in their war effort (“Full Text of War” 5). According to the article “Financing the War”, after the war “the total gross war expenditures amounted to $ 30,177,000 of that $ 9,384,000 are from tax receipts and other proceeds” (A4).
In passing this act, Congress ensured the Allies what they desperately needed: enough troops to defeat the Central Powers (1). Neutrality and preparedness in World War II were approached in similar and differing ways. In the Second World War, neutrality was left to Congress to proclaim with its various Neutrality Acts from 1935-1939. In 1935, Congress hoped to isolate the U.S, thereby, preventing U.S interference or assistance overseas (8). By 1939, however, Congress would be less restrictive and allow for the selling of munitions to nations at war in exchange for cash. These nations would be forced to retrieve the goods, ensuring that no U.S ships could be sunk by U-boats and thus causing U.S entry into the war (class notes 1/2/12). Despite these efforts to remain neutral, it seemed that America would be entering the war soon, therefore, the Selective Training and Service Act was passed in 1940 drafting men ages 21-35, and later requiring all men ages 18-65 to register (1). Also in preparing for the war the Military Industrial Congressional Complex was formed. An economic and administrative method for the production and use of weapons, this group helped to further enhance the army. Thirty six billion dollars were given to the War Department through this system (6). Congress also made an effort to aid allies overseas as it had in World War I. In passing the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, Britain was able to obtain the supplies it needed to fight (7). Congress at