Was America Inevitable To Join World War I?

The First World War has established an unforgettable memoir in the history books. World War 1 was a massacre of human life and an important event that determined the present state of the modern world. Yes, World War 1 was inevitable. The foundation of the causes of World War 1 can be traced back to several factors that were building up international tension to the ultimate result of war. In the 1900s, the European countries were extremely competitive in extending their influence around the world. Their competitive nature was motivated by the encouragement of nationalism within countries, the entangled alliances between nations, the arms race and the battle to acquire colonies around the world contributed to the small disputes that exploded

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.

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.

America had no intention of entering WWI as President Woodrow Wilson had declared their policy of neutrality in 1914 after the continent of Europe had erupted in conflict. President Wilson aimed to deal with all participants in the war in a fair way that did not show signs of allegiance to either side as he tried to help find a way towards peaceful resolution. Happenings in Europe soon changed Wilson’s view of neutrality. Many American lives had been lost at sea after the sinking of the Lusitania and other ships due to Germany’s unrestricted submarine attacks. Germany refused to alter their methods which forced Wilson to ask Congress for a declaration of war in 1917.

On April 6 of 1917 America officially entered WWI as an ally power after much vouching of their neutrality. Up to that point many government officials preached to America the great strategy of neutrality especially the president of the time Wilson. At the beginning of WWI in 1914 America did stick to practiced isolationists point of view but as the war progressed and German aggression increased the American extent of neutrality decreased leading to their eventual entrance into the war. Germany blamed much of Britain’s

This essay will examine all nine readings. There will also be insight given to why the United States entered World War I, and whether or not the reasons were persuasive. Other things will also be discussed, including: what America’s war aims were, and how Wilson’s goals were unrealistic, misleading, overly idealistic and moralistic. The fact that Wilson expected too much of international law and international organization. Also, why Wilson’s goals were not achieved. That the national interest is what should guide American diplomacy. There was also a lot of questions of loyalty and civil liberties that were raised by the war.

Another reason of why America had to participate in the war was because of America violating the “Sussex Pledge.” America supplied munitions and financial assets to the Allies, because of this Germany didn’t consider America “neutral” anymore. I believe America’s entry into the war was inevitable at this point. I believe

Another reason the U.S. joined World War II was because the Germans were sinking United States’ ships while taking supplies to England.  The Germans were, also, using unrestricted submarine warfare even after they promised not to two years before that. The German submarines began shooting at United States war ships.  At that point, the Germans declared war on the United States.  Hitler declared war on the United States because he believed that it was an opportunity to be seized.  He thought that it would be easy to knock the United States out of the war and continue on his dominance throughout the world.  “He was convinced that the United States would soon beat him to the punch and declare war on Germany.  The U.S. Navy was already attacking German U-boats, and Hitler didn’t care for Roosevelt because of his repeated verbal attacks against his Nazi ideology” (History.com).  This states that Hitler did not like the United States and wanted to get rid of them and the rest of the Allies and continue to get what he wanted.  It is clear why the United States should have entered the war and kept Germany from being the most dominant country in the world, although some disagree.

### 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.

Beginning from the birth of the United States, a policy of neutrality and a will to stay out of foreign affairs is evident. So when archduke Ferdinand was assassinated the United States wanted to try its best to reap the benefits of the situation while avoiding joining in the conflict that would come to be known as World War 1. However, in 1917 the United States declared war on Germany despite this longstanding tradition and joined the conflict. One of the leading causes of this decision was the aggression of the German naval policy. When Great Britain set up a naval blockade to cease trade with Germany, Germany declared their U-boats would attack ships traversing those waters. This aggressive policy led to a hindrance on American trade as well as an endangerment of American citizens causing them to side against Germany. An additional factor that influenced the United States to side against the Germans In World War 1 was Allied propaganda. Since the United States was cut off from the Germans and the others of the triple alliance this was the only propaganda that they had encountered. President Woodrow Wilson’s ideology also played a factor in joining the war. Woodrow Wilson claimed that entering the war

The United States was prompted to abandon their neutral policy due to a number of things and events. Most recall the sinking of the Lusitania, the propaganda, and the Zimmerman telegram to be the events that triggered the U.S. the most. Of course, there are most definitely more reasons that the U.S. decided to enter the war but these are most significant events that led up to the U.S. entering the war. The U.S. had tolerated a lot from Germany, but these events were the deal breakers. The government finally said enough is enough and declared war on Germany and joined the Allied side.

The newly made weapons helped give momentum to the war, but nothing moved the war father and faster than the Americans. The Germans made the critical mistake of sinking the Lusitania as it forced America to join the war. Therefore, Germany desired to capture Paris as it could be a “bargaining chip” to end the Great War. On March 21, 1918 Germany began their assault on Paris and almost captured the capital city in July. Unfortunately for the Germans, they did not get the final blow that they were striving for before America’s arrival. America did not only help defend Paris, but they also pushed back the Germans with help of the British and French troops. This time of action by America was known as “the beginning of the end” for the Great War.

Another factor that led to America joining the war was their economy policy. To expand on this thought, America thought that the seas and oceans should be free for whomever wants to sail. The truth was that Germany was the one who wanted to control the

By January 1917 representatives from the German navy convinced the military leadership and Kaiser Wilhelm II that a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare could help defeat Great Britain within five months. German policymakers argued that they could violate the “Sussex pledge” because the United States was not being neutral (Office of the Historian). In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico, offering United States’ territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause (Childress). Accordingly, on January 31, 1917, the German Ambassador, Count Johann von Bernstorff, presented U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing with a note declaring Germany’s intention to restart unrestricted submarine warfare the following day. Stunned by the news, President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had severed diplomatic relations with Germany (Office of the Historian). Throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sunk several American ships, and many American passengers and seamen died (Office of the Historian). On February 26, Wilson asked Congress for authority to arm American merchant ships with U.S. naval personnel and equipment.

Submarines were effective and best known for sneaking on the enemy. They were lightly armored and served as easy prey if discovered. It also had small crew numbers which made it hard to take prisoners from captured steamships. Despite these reasons, the Germans were non reluctant to break the international rules of warfare. The Germans attacked and sank the British passenger ship carrying American civilians on board. The American people were in disbelief and accused Germany of violating international rules. However Germany disagreed to the accusations.