United States Entry 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]

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

Between the years of 1894 and 1914, America’s investments overseas have increased five-fold; however, German U-boats and the Great Britain’s naval blockade threaten our foreign interests. Thus, the United States must join the Allies in The Great War and defend our country, her interests and her allies overseas in Europe. In this paper the reader will be introduced to the pros and cons of America joining the fight against the Central Powers, and why it is essential that the country put up a strong fight against the enemy and become involved with the war.

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.

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.

One reason is that many people died. In an article called World War I casualties it says “The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 6.8 million civilians.” Another reason people might say this is because many U.S citizens didn’t want to join WWI in the first place. in DBQ 16: Why Did We Enter WWI?-Historical Context it says people applaud President Wilson when he asked american citizens to remain neutral. In other words people were happy that they didn’t have to enter WWI. These are some reasons why some people say that the U.S shouldn’t have entered

The United States entered World War I to fight for democracy. Another reason they entered war was because the arguments about capitalism. Part of the reason they entered the war was because of the German submarine warfare. Lives of innocent people were being taken for no reason. “German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.” “American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of.” John Kenneth Turner said that the he thought that the war was a war for business. World War I made 21,000 new american millionaires, and 60,000 men made more than three billion dollars over their normal income. War makes money which is why Wall Street wanted war. America’s war aims were to keep the people safe, and increase the trading. They wanted to have peace and justice in the

### appears to be part of Esssay 384218##World War 1, also known as The Great War, is the fifth-deadliest conflict in history. It was mainly a battle for independence between countries, and until April 6, 1917 the U.S. had tried to pull away from it. Only about 20% of America had actually wanted to get involved, while about 80% had voted against any American involvement. When the American passenger boat known as the Lusitania had been destroyed by German U-boats and the Germans had broken their promise of not destroying any more American ships, there truly was no choice but to fight with the Allies against the Central Powers. The pros and cons of entering this war are very debatable, yet quite factual when basing them on life in this time period. Three pro arguments that were relevant would be that the Germans needed to be stopped, that the war would actually lead to peace, and that it had certainly improved our nation. Three con arguments could be that the Great Depression was pushed with the U.S. being involved, that the Allies really didn’t need America’s assistance, and that people believed that this war would not lead to peace at all.

World War I also provided women with the means to finally achieve suffrage. Groups such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association, led by Carrie Chapman Catt, enthusiastically joined the war effort, thereby intertwining patriotism and women’s rights. After the House of Representatives passed the women’s suffrage amendment in January 1918, President Wilson told the nation, “We have made partners of the women in this war. Shall we admit them only to a partnership of suffering and sacrifice and toil and not to a partnership of privilege and right?” (James and Wells, 67-68). True political equality did not result from the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment—very few female candidates were elected in the 1920s—but, in the words of Allen, “the winning of the suffrage had its effect. It consolidated woman’s position as man’s equal” (96).

When the war started, women had to take over the jobs of men and they learned to be independent. These women exemplified the beginning of change. Coupled with enfranchisement and the increased popularity of birth control, women experienced a new

This should have been an act of war. The United States joining the war on the side of the Allies would have greatly benefited the Allies and expedited the war. The United States could have saved countless lives by joining the Allies. As a strong and enthusiastic country that wished to prove itself to the world, the United States could have deeply influenced the war. It would take a telegram that threatened to force the United States into a war with Mexico, Germany, and possibly Japan. The death of those one hundred twenty-eight citizens would have infuriated the country in modern times; but as a result of a lackluster, passive president, Woodrow Wilson, refuse to enter the war. His ignorance, indecisiveness, and his anti-war stance resulted in deaths of many Americans and people across the world. President Wilson believed in the United States as a mediator in this Great War, but what was he to do about the deaths of these American citizens. A solemn speech and sympathy would not satisfy those affected by the loss of their loved ones. The American people were afraid of the impending threat of the Mexican and

Before the war, the role of a woman in the society was to take care of her families and do menial jobs. However, during and after the war, women worked in factories, fire stations, train stations etc. several places where it was impossible for women to gain employment started handing out jobs to women. Women entered the paid workforce and “women’s employment outside the home rose from 14 million in 1940 to 19 million by 1945.” They also entered industries once viewed as exclusively male and they enjoyed the huge weekly paychecks and they took “pride in their contributions to the war

Ever since then women proved that they can work in a man’s workplace and do just as well. Any job that was a man’s, was a women’s as well. Women were soon “the most needed workers of all” according to Brenda Ralf Lewis. Factory workers became known as “the soldiers without guns”. If women hadn’t stepped up to the line, winning the war wouldn’t have been as easy as it was for us. Not only did the women in factories and shipyards have a big part in doing their part in the war contributions, but so did the women who were out on the field fighting alongside with their men risking their very life.

On June 28, 1914 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. His death was the spark that ignited the dry grass and wood pile that was Europe. One month later on July 28th, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. World War 1 had begun. The sides were the allies: France, the UK (and their colonies), Italy, Russia, Japan, Romania, Serbia, Greece, and Portugal. The other side was the central powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The United States said that they were neutral in the beginning, but due to the US being under attack despite its neutrality, the growing anti-German sentiment in the US influenced by historic ties to Great Britain, German policies of aggression, and American and British propaganda the United States entered World War 1 on the side of the allies on April 6, 1917

Between 1914 and 1918, more than a million women joined the workforce to fill the gap left by the men at war. Finding themselves working diversely from nurses and cleaners to police patrols and explosives manufacturing for the war. Yet they still earned only half as much as men working the same jobs men did and were still constricted with what they