What Is The Events That Justified The United States Entry Into World War 1

a. Wilson realized the economic advantages of remaining a neutral country, and understood that the United States’ abundance in industry and its large domestic consumer market meant that the national economy was not under any immediate threat. Furthermore, as the world’s leading manufacturer and economic power, the United States became the primary supplier of the Allied war effort. As a result trade with the Allied nations fueled America’s industrial, services, and agricultural sectors, as American exports of steel, grain, clothes, food, money, weapons, etc, and brought about the biggest economic boom in U.S. history. American banks lent billions of dollars to the Allied coalition. The United States, however, did not trade strictly with the Allied nations, and for a time exploited its status as a neutral country to conduct trade with Germany, that was until Britain harassed American goods back to English ports. In spite of this trade with the Allied nations continued, and the national economy flourished from the sale of non-contraband goods. Wilson therefore had little reason to claim any greater a stake in the European war than strictly business. Moreover, the United States, as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, enjoyed a self-sufficient economy founded on the nation’s vast array of industry and a steady supply of valuable resources like oil and steel. America’s industries were perfectly suited to the nation’s

In the book, America’s Great War: World War I and the American Experience, Robert H. Zieger discusses the events between 1914 through 1920 forever defined the United States in the Twentieth Century. When conflict broke out in Europe in 1914, the President, Woodrow Wilson, along with the American people wished to remain neutral. In the beginning of the Twentieth Century United States politics was still based on the “isolationism” ideals of the previous century. The United States did not wish to be involved in European politics or world matters. The U.S. goal was to expand trade and commerce throughout the world and protect the borders of North America.

Politics executed a part in America entering the war also. Propaganda from both sides determined America’s decision. President Wilson did not want to go to war, but when Teddy Roosevelt wanted to run for anther term, Wilson felt intimidated and declared that there would be a preparation program and a chance that America would go to war. By taking part in the war, America was validating itself as a world power.

Whenever war broke out overseas in 1914, many Americans had ties to countries involved. Many of citizens living here were immigrants or children of immigrants who came from Germany, France, or other countries involved in the war. Out of the 92 million citizens living in the states, one-third of them were hyphenated Americans. There was strong support of the Central Powers in the states due to the 8 million German-Americans and the 4 million Irish-Americans who disliked English rule. Yet, many Americans were pro Allies due to the language bond with Great Britain. America wanted to keep to their selves as war broke out in Europe and not get involved. President Woodrow Wilson would announce in 1914 that the Unites States would stay neutral during the war. Wilson would run by the slogan “Keep Us Out of the War” whenever he was running for re-election for presidency. Americas would trade with both parties and bankers could lend money to both sides involved in the war. Trading with Germany would eventually be blockaded and trade with Allies would increase.

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.

The United States government announced a policy of neutrality at the outbreak of the war in Europe because it did not want to risk what was at stake by entering the war. It was also believed that the fighting would be contained in Europe and would have no threat of violence for Americans. Since the imports and exports were so important for Americans they did not want to enter the war and complicate the trade. It was not until the threat to sink all ships did the United States government feel as though they needed to enter the war. It was very important for the United States to get involved to stop Germany from taking over Europe and creating a major threat for Americans.

The American decision to declare war on Germany was influenced by several factors of varying degrees. To a great extent, the aggressive German naval policy contributed to the involvement of the United States in World War I. A secondary influence on this decision derived from U.S. economic interests abroad and on the homefront. Another influence leading to America’s entrance into war was the use of Allied propaganda. Therefore, the combination of German naval policy, American economic interests, and allied propaganda influenced to the American decision

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

Americans became afraid of and disdainful towards anything German. Affairs associated with Germans or Germany ceased such as German bands, German courses in schools, and renaming German associated words such as German Measles to Liberty Measles. Many German-Americans felt loyal to America but still had ties to Germany. Ambassador James W. Gerard warned, “but now that we are in the war there are only two sides, and the time has come when every citizen must declare himself American – or traitor!” Intolerance towards all things German made German-Americans cautious and discreet in their speech and actions.

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 …

Also the Germans tried to use propaganda against the U.S. by attempting to convince American soldiers to join Germany in its war efforts. German soldiers would purposely drop pamphlets onto the ground in hopes that American soldiers would come across them and read them. On the pamphlets were saying such as "Do you think it honorable to fight the country that has given birth to your fathers or forefathers?" (Brainz) The Germans also attacked the African-Americans with phrases such as "Do you enjoy the same rights socially and before the law? Do you enjoy the same rights as the white people do in America the land of Freedom and Democracy? Or aren't you rather treated over there as second class citizens?" (Brainz) With these, the Germans tried to persuade the African-Americans that the U.S. was not treating them with respect and were not equal, but if they went to the German side they would be treated like average citizens. I feel it was a valiant effort for the Germans, but was not very productive.

In 1914 Europe, the circumstances in Europe were precisely what they needed to be to allow for Germany’s violation of neutral Belgium to act as the perfect trigger and primary reason for Britain’s entry into World War I. These circumstances included the tension throughout Europe, especially between Germany and France, and Britain’s alliance with France. Belgium had remained neutral since The Treaty of London in 1839, where European powers recognized and guaranteed the independence of Belgium. However, Germany attacked Belgium on August 4, 1914, which immediately brought England out of their “splendid isolation.” Although it is possible that Britain’s entry into the war was only a matter or time, that does not discredit the fact that the violation of Belgian neutrality was the primary cause for British entry into the war. There are many reasons that Britain had to dislike Germany, but none strong enough to motivate British entry into the war except the German violation of Belgian neutrality, which is why the violation of Belgian neutrality was, indeed, the primary reason for British

America entered World War One in 1917. America and the President, Woodrow Wilson, were horrified by the destruction that had taken place in such a humane part of the world. The only way to avoid a repeat of such a disaster was to create an international committee whose purpose was to prevent wars by maintaining world peace. This would be the task of the League of Nations. Woodrow Wilson was the creator of the League of Nations in his Fourteen Points Speech. This was ironic because the United States failed to join the League of Nations. This can be seen in the US delegations in Paris, the Congressional election of 1918, Article X, Wilson's conflict with republican senators and his problem with compromising, the Americans that didn't agree

As the world turned over into the 20th century the threat of war could be seen throughout European countries. Tensions arising from alliances, the arming of nations, and the deep seated hatred still present from past loses were all too present. In late July of 1914 the powder keg that was Europe would erupt and the countries would be pushed into the fires of war. However, the United States of America would stand on the sideline for some time before becoming involved in an affair they had no care to be in. Come 1917 the U.S. would enter the war though, aiding its Western European allies in their fight against Germany and the Triple Alliance. This entry into WWI was a marked shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving from a nation of isolation; the U.S.’s participation and position in WWI would forever change its standing in the world politics and its position as a unilateralist nation.

Because America had strong economic ties with Great Britain and France, and because stories of the German atrocities became known, Americans began supporting the Allied