World War I And America

The Impact WW1 had on a number of countries was great, but what did it

President Wilson had cautioned citizens from taking side in the war in fear of jeopardizing wider US policy, during the time of neutrality. Untied States maintained this neutrality despite increasing pressure on President Wilson after the sinking of the Lusitania. This neutrality would crumble when Germany started to introduce its unrestricted submarine

World War I began in 1914 as a result of several things including alliances and nationalism throughout the world, and imperialistic nations attempting to gain more global power. The United States tried to stay with the foreign policy known as isolationism and stay completely out of the war. However, due to Germany’s severe actions, America was forced to enter the war in 1917 on the side of the Allies. This greatly helped the Allies in accomplishing a victory. The war ended in 1919 although there were still bitter feelings between the different countries. Following World War I, United States’ government became more involved and there was rising conflict over political influence in other nations, the economy took a turn for the worst,

President Woodrow Wilson responded by sending a set of three notes to Germany. The first note was in direct protest over the sinking of the Lusitania, which cost about 110 American lives; and defended the rights of Americans to travel on merchant vessels. The second was an argument protesting German claims that the British blockade was illegal (Germany argued because the blockade was illegal, this gave them the right to fight against it, by any means). The third note said that if such a thing happened again, the US would consider it "deliberately unfriendly." As stated by www.globalresearch.ca, “The sinking of the Lusitania was a major catalyst for America’s later entry into the World 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.

War is a conflict that destroys countries, lives, and alliances. The occurrence of the Second World War was a lesson unlearned, it happened despite the fact that the First World War had caused so many casualties and hardships to countless countries and families. After WW2 had started, the United States of America decided to stay neutral based on how they were trying to get out of previous economic troubles from the Great Depression and the World War I. United States foreign policy allowed us to supply to the Allies while still remaining neutral, however, our oil embargos on the Japanese prompted their attack on Pearl Harbor. America’s outrage over this infamous event brought us into the Second World War with all our might and anger. America’s

On May 7th 1915, German U-boats, patrolling in the Atlantic Ocean, fired torpedoes at the British ship the Lusitania, sinking her in 20 minutes. On the ship were 128 Americans. President Wilson, demanded that Germany stop attacking passenger ships, and declared that America was too proud to fight. Wilson also tried to mediate a compromise settlement but failed. Wilson also repeatedly warned

As soon as the war started in 1914, America decided to be neutral. My opinion, Wilson strategically planned on joining the war as soon as it started. However, he couldn't declare war without reason. For instance, before the Lusitania sank, William J Bryan, Secretary of State at the time, “warned Americans not to travel on British, French, or German ships” (America in World War I: Crash Course US History #30, 2013, Crash Course). However, Wilson refused to instate such a travel ban. Germany, who had began submarine warfare, attacked that sunk the Lusitania, though the ship was “carrying a large cache of arms... it caused the death of 1,198 passengers, including 124 Americans” (Give Me Liberty: An American History Vol. 2, Foner, 2017, pg. 743).

Following World War I, America turned inward and began to focus on itself. Yet, coming home from war Americans were also fearful of communism due to the recent Bolshevik Revolution where Lenin and the Bolshevik party gained control of Russia and made it communist. This scare led to drastic changes within our nation’s borders as America fought to keep communist influence out of its borders. This was such an impactful event that even the Attorney General of the time, A. Mitchell Palmer, set up a section in the Justice Department to handle issues relating to radicals, this sect of the Justice Department would be very active as, “More than ten thousand people were arrested—some for membership in Communist or left-wing groups, others on no greater pretext than that they looked or sounded foreign—and then jailed and interrogated with little regard for their right to due process” (Lehman, Phelps 260). This severe response to the scare of Communism demonstrates an inward focusing of America. Similarly, in the post-World War I time period America would demonstrate its interest in nativism which it would demonstrate through multiple acts being passed on immigration primarily, the Immigration Act of 1924. During this period of nativism, “Through the whole movement, from 1921 on, for more drastic curbs on the new immigration ran an increasingly assertive racial nativism” (Higham 313). That is America had

1939 is when World War 2 started, and everything In the United States started to change. The American government started to recognize the new immigrants, and the government saw their children as loyal Americans. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. One day after the attack President Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare war on Japan. This has opened a lot of up doors of opportunity for change for American minorities, as American Indians who were exposed for the first time to urban life, African Americans reserved more freedom, women who started to have the ability to work, and Asian Americans who were the most glaring example of the failure to be adequately pluralistic.

As previously mentioned, America was morally justified in joining the war. However, the factors of America’s economic and political justification must be included as well. America could have prevented the sinking of their ships. How? By listening to the Germans and their warnings. According to William Jennings Bryan, the Germans warned America not to travel on British ships, nevertheless, America neglected their warning. As a result of America’s indiscretion, the British vessel was sunk; along with it was with was the cargo and the lives of many. While America claimed to stand for the vindication of human rights, William Jennings questioned why they weren’t objecting to Great Britain starving a nation. Politically, America was not justified

While Europe was being attacked from almost every side, America was keeping its head buried in the sands of isolationism. After World War I, America was a little less than enthusiastic about getting involved in any foreign affairs, therefore isolationism seemed like the best possible policy to follow. Despite this policy, people will pick sides. Due to the alliance America had in the last World War, the sympathies of most Americans were with the besieged Allies. Although, this favoritism America showed was clear Americas still wanted no part in the war.

When the First World War erupted in Europe on July 28, 1914; President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaimed that the United States would remain neutral on August 4, 1914. However, the United States did not stick to this proclamation, and eventually became involved in the war efforts. This investigation aims to evaluate the reasons the United States violated their neutrality in order to join the war. In inquiring into the reasons of the United States’ entry into the war, the Zimmermann telegram will be assessed. Primary sources, Message to Congress., 2d Sess., Senate Doc and War Messages, 65th Cong., 1st Sess. Senate Doc. No. 5 by Woodrow Wilson will also be assessed. Online sources, for example

In 1914 when war was declared in Europe, America adopted a policy of neutrality and isolation. When news of trench warfare and the horrors associated with it reached the shores of America, it confirmed to the government that they had made the right choice. Their approach had the full support of a majority of Americans, many of which could not believe that Europe, a civilized entity, could descend into the depths of carnage as depicted by trench warfare.

In World War 1, the United States wanted to stay neutral but that later changed. President Woodrow Wilson of the U.S. wanted to keep America out of the war. However, the U.S. were forced to go into war because of Germany. Germany sunk the Lusitania, that carried american passengers, with a torpedo from their submarine. Therefore, Germany killed 128 american passengers which angered the United States. Woodrow Wilson gave a speech and stated his fourteen points to make peace and to put a stop to WW1.