Module 9: American Entry into World War I

American Entry into World War I

American entry into World War I was driven by a combination of economic interests, geopolitical considerations, and significant provocations. President Woodrow Wilson initially adopted a stance of neutrality, famously promoting the slogan "he kept us out of the war" during the 1916 Election. 

The situation escalated dramatically with the unrestricted submarine warfare employed by Germany, which directly threatened American lives and commerce. The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, a British passenger liner that resulted in the deaths of 128 Americans, shocked the public and increased anti-German sentiment in the U.S. Despite German assurances to limit their submarine attacks, incidents continued, straining relations between the two nations. 

In 1917 the German government grew increasingly worried that the United States might join the war and support Britain and France.  To help offset this possibility, Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the United States.  This offer was called The Zimmerman Telegram and, when it became public, this revelation stirred outrage fears of German aggression, compelling many Americans to reconsider their position on the war.

However, the economic situation impacted American interests, particularly through the British Blockade of Germany, which restricted American trade with Germany while allowing goods to flow to the Allies.  When the war began, Britain placed Germany under a blockade by surrounding German ports with their warships and not allowing any trade to go in or out.  

American law allowed American businesses to trade with any nation fighting in WWI, but the blockade meant that, if effect, American goods could only flow to Britain and France. This blockade led to growing economic ties with the Allied powers, as American banks and businesses provided loans and supplies, further entrenching the U.S. in the conflict.  Soon American banks had loaned billions of dollars to the British and French governments and almost nothing to Germany.  American bankers began to realize that if Britain and France lost the war, they would not be able to pay back these loans.  When the Russians pulled out of the war and it looked like the Germans might be able to win, American bankers demanded Wilson declare war on Germany.

By April 1917, the combination of these factors led President Wilson to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. He framed the conflict as a struggle for democracy and a moral imperative, arguing that the U.S. had a duty to defend freedom against autocracy. The entry of the United States into World War I marked a significant turning point in the conflict, as fresh American troops and resources bolstered the weary Allied forces. Ultimately, Wilson’s vision of a new world order based on democratic principles would guide U.S. foreign policy and set the stage for the post-war negotiations.