Question

Trace the events leading to our entry into World War I. Evaluate Woodrow Wilson's leadership. Their must be three examples to support it.

Answer 1

The events leading to US entry into world war 1 as follows :

Zimmerman Telegram

The Zimmerman Telegram was a secret telegram issued by the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman in 1917 that proposed a military alliance between Mexico and Germany. Telegram to Mexico suggesting that if the US should declare war on Germany, Mexico should declare war on the US In return, Mexico would get back the territory lost in the Mexican-American War (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). Unfortunately for Germany, the telegram was intercepted by the British Intelligence and hurriedly given to the Americans. Although Mexico had no real intention of declaring war on the US. The contents enraged Americans, especially after German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman publicly admitted the telegram was genuine on March 3, and helped generate support for the United States declaration of war on Germany in April.

Sinking of the Lusitania

In early 1915, Germany introduced a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare which means U-Boats were hunting and sinking merchant shipping without warning. On May 7th, a German U-boat sunk the British passenger ship Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. Over 1,000 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. Although the ship may have been carrying military equipment along with the civilians, the Americans were infuriated because the people on board weren’t warned before the sinking. In addition to straining diplomatic relations between the US and Germany, the Sinking of the Lusitania further increased anti-German sentiment in America.

Reintroduction of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany promised to stop unrestricted submarine warfare but within less than a year Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 and they torpedoed another passenger ship, Knowing they risked provoking the United States into joining the war, Germany gambled on defeating the British before the US had a chance to mobilize. During February and March, several US cargo vessels were sunk without warning, resulting in the United States severing diplomatic ties with Berlin.

Economic Interests

The US had a vested financial interest in the outcome of the war in Europe. American businesses and banks made huge loans to the Allies. If they didn’t win then they were unlikely to get their money back. J.P Morgan helped fund British and French war efforts with approx. $3 Billion in loans. Many businessman supported for the intervention in the war on the side of Allied forces.

Woodrow Wilson's Leadership in the war

At first the President Woodrow Wilson of US did not agree completely with other Allies. He wanted a Peace Treaty Based on justice, not bitterness. President Wilson had led negotiations for a truce to end the hostilies of World War 1. But because of the above events helped to shatter that hope and ultimately called on Congress to declare war on Germany in 1917.

The task Wilson faced was how to mobilize an unprepared America. The government could ask for volunteers and institute a draft to build up the army. But convincing Americans to support the war and feel the will to fight was more difficult. The war effort required propaganda. Wilson launched the Committee for Public Information (CPI), employing a legion of artists and the formative Hollywood film industry to churn out pamphlets, movies and posters depicting Germans as the savage Hun. James Montgomery Flag drew his famous image of Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer, the classic "I Want You" army recruitment image.

Wilson brought forth his Fourteen Points, a program for a world without imperialism or secret treaties, where self-determination and democracy would flourish, and where the voices of weak nations would be heard as loudly as those of the strong. In Wilson's imagined future, the league of Nations - a global covenant among nations - would peaceably settle future conflicts. To President Wilson, the tens of thousands of American troops who crossed the Atlantic to fight alongside the Allies were the battering ram for his Fourteen Points. When Germany, its forces in disarray, offered to end the war on the basis of Wilson's world changing plan, his representative, Colonel Edwards House, made the president's position clear to the Allies. They could accept the armistice terms, or America would consider a separate peace with Germany. War-weary, the European Allies gave in.