Decision NINE: ENTER THE GREAT WAR?

In 1914, because of the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand in Serbia led to the Austrians wanting revenge against the Serbians. The Serbians were backed by the Russians, and the Austrians were backed by the Germans. The Russians were also allied with the French and the British. As a result, Europe was quickly embroiled in what was called “the Great War.”

In the United States most people held onto George Washington’s Farewell Address which urged Americans to stay out of European conflicts.

As president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, you have a vision for a world-wide government that will “make the world safe for democracy,” and an end to war forever. The best way you can introduce this plan is to have a seat at the table when the Great War comes to an end. In other words, you want the U.S. to be a player in this war.

Suspecting that the U.S. was aiding Britain, the Germans began to target passenger ships that they believed might be carrying weapons. In 1918, a German U-Boat sank the HMS Lusitania, with Americans aboard.

For some, this was a good reason for the U.S. to enter the war; for others, it was a warning for us to stay out.