United States Entering World War I

Even though it is believed that World War I was initialized by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, others believe that there were a number of issues that played into the start of the war. There are said to be four areas that played into the cause of World War I, including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the other three are imperialism, militarism, and nationalism. In this paper, we will discuss all of these areas to see how they played a part. We will also discuss what events drew the United States into World War I.

World War I devastated Europe and brought unprecedented human suffering. There were more than 38 million military and civilian casualties: 17 million deaths and over 20 million wounded, and a toll of $186 billion in direct costs, and an $151 billion in indirect costs. [1] The allied powers negotiated the Treaty of Versailles, which officially brought the war to end in June of 1919, with very limited participation by Germany. The provisions of the treaty primarily blamed Germany for the war, and imposed unreasonable terms that were responsible for German expansion, hyperinflation, and economic downfall, and eventually led directly to World War II. [2]

World War 1 was a war that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and was a war that involved and was molded around alliances. This war in Europe would eventually turn into a global war that would involve 32 countries. United States involvement was crucial to the outcome of World War 1 and made a serious impact in our country. Both positive and negative effects were felt by Americans during and even long after the war. Mixed feelings were felt from many Americans for entering the war that would affect society.

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which took place primarily in Europe from 1914 to 1918.[2] Over 40 million casualties resulted, including approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths.[3] Over 60 million European soldiers were mobilized from 1914 – 1918.[4] The immediate cause of the war was the June 28, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Gavril Principe, a Bosnian Serb citizen of Austria-Hungary and member of the Black Hand. The retaliation by Austria-Hungary against Serbia activated a series of alliances that set off a chain reaction of war declarations. Within a month, much of Europe was

World War 1 was fought between the periods of 1914 to 1919. It is also known as the Great War. WW1 began as a conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The conflict spread like wildfire, dragging almost all of the countries in Europe into WW1. Lots of reasons are given onto the cause of the war and what eventually concluded the war. My paper will discuss the different aspects of the war, especially the U.S.’s contribution and involvement to the war.

Background - Historical Context: Some people believed that wars are worth the cost but is the

By the time President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and its allies, the World War I had already been raging for four years (Doenecke, 2010, p. 1). Prior to this declaration of war, America had tried to remain neutral, while Germany, Autria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria waged war against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Rumania, and Japan. Many of these belligerents joined the war at various times during this four year period, so the war continued to expand during this four year period. Wilson and a significant percentage (49%) of the American public had wanted to stay out of this conflict as possible when it first started (Doenecke, 2010, p. 20), but a series of events forced America's hand.

Of the advantages of America joining the world war, one of them is protecting our investments and interests overseas. If we choose to remain neutral those investments remain under the risk of being destroyed by German U-boats, who sink all ships that sail toward Europe without warning, cutting off our trade with Britain and other European countries. For business minded Americans, this threat cannot continue to go unchallenged. Already the Germans have broken the Sussex Pledge and three American ships have been sunk by their torpedoes; by joining the war America can protect our overseas investments while gaining a stronghold that can lead to American dominance in the world.

During World War l, around the time July 28, 1914 throughout the years, coming to an end on November 11, 1918, issues were involved. Many alliances fostered militarism. Around the time 1914, adhesion was building upon the European nations. While the Americans were at war, the German kingdom of Prussia was launched to unite the German states all into one nation. By that time, imperialism ran through something called annexation. Something else called military conquest and dealings with economic dominations. All of that being said was how European powers built upon empires. Therefore nationalism was strong to what was going on around the time of war.

The United States of America, one of the most powerful and strongest countries in the world, originally had a policy of isolationism. But it's unexpected entry into World War I, still remains controversial. Many reasons are thought to be factored into the United States’ decision for entry into the war, such as the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, the Zimmerman Telegram, and the prohibition of unrestricted submarine warfare. There are many reasons why the U.S entered the war however these are the most significant ones, as they had the most impact on the United States decision of entry into World War I.

WWI started on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918. At the time a man named Woodrow Wilson was president at the time. President Wilson did not want to go to war. In DBQ 16: Why Did We Enter World War I?-Historical Context by J. Weston Walch, it says “People were determined to keep out of the conflict and applaud president Wilson when he asked that his fellow citizens remain “neutral in fact as well as in name.””Then Germany started unrestricted warfare and a telegram was intercepted saying that a few of our states were going to be given to mexico if they helped germany attack the U.S. These are the main reasons why the U.S should join WWI.

This sent President Wilson to have a vote by congress to declare war on Kaiser and the Central Powers. Wilson would make sure this was the war to end of all wars. America would be fighting to make the world safe for democracy. Troops would not start arriving in large numbers until 1918, but their presence was felt right away as the war was to have a for sure outcome strongly leaning towards the Allies. Wilson believed this contribution would finally lead to world peace once the war was finished. The United States prepped their army tremendously as expanding to having millions of soldiers. The United States were by far the most powerful nation in the world entering the war and showed as they dominated the Central Powers. Germany’s extremely skilled air force was greatly outnumbered by the US as they were no match and were defeated. The war finally ended when Germany surrendered later that year on November 11, 1918. Following the war this left the United States in a great spot as many of the European countries were in huge war debt and lost millions of people. The United States were by far the most wealthy and powerful country in the world. Although our nation had to

Even with the actions Germany had done many Americans at that time did not want the United States to go to war. But it was inevitable for the United States to

Former American president Woodrow Wilson said in 1917 relating to World War I, ¨This is a war to end all wars.¨ Although this was not the most accurate quote as World War II followed the first, World War I was one of the bloodiest wars ever fought. The war had 37 million casualties with another 19.7 million wounded. One of the events that lead to the start of the war was the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife by Serbian nationalists. These nationalists were angered by the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary. As many countries waged war on each other the United States of America remained neutral

Sunday, December 7, 1941. Six Japanese aircraft carriers arrive on shore undetected carrying torpedo bombers, dive-bombers, level bombers, and fighters with the sole purpose of eradicating the American Pacific Fleet located in Pearl Harbor. Although at that moment it may have seemed like nothing good would come out of it, a significant outcome did result from this attack: American entry into World War Two. American entry in the war proved to be highly crucial for the Allies for America played a monumental role in ultimately winning the war all due to its superior industrial power.