World War I

What factors led the United States to leave its neutrality and join “The Great War” in Europe?

World War I

The American position during the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914 was to remain neutral, meaning the United States would not choose one side or another. Americans themselves were polarized with many immigrants siding with their native countries. The United States government and businesses, however, made decisions that showed support for the Allied nations including Great Britain and France. The United States continued to provide loans to Allied nations at war. As those loans soared, the government worried the Allied debts would not be repaid if the borrowing nations lost the war.

As a part of their military strategy, the British enacted a blockade against Germany. In response the Germans chose to use a tactic referred to as “unrestricted submarine warfare.” The Germans could not effectively blockade Great Britain since Great Britain was an island nation. In lieu of a blockade the Germans chose to fire upon and sink any vessel in open waters. Just as the British wished to eliminate supply deliveries to Germany, the German use of unrestricted submarine warfare was intended to do the same. The Germans began to use unrestricted submarine warfare aimed at attacking any ship after they realized that British supplies and weapons were aboard cargo ships and passenger ships. This tactic backfired when a German u-boat (submarine) sank the British passenger ship the Lusitania. On board this ship were 128 American citizens. The American public wished to disengage their neutrality and go to war with Germany after the attack on American citizens. Wilson continued to urge for neutrality.

The combination of American loans and German unrestricted submarine warfare was not enough to push America into war in Europe. The ultimate decision to go to war with Germany came after the Zimmerman Telegram. German foreign minister to Mexico, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to Mexico urging them to attack the United States from the southern United States-Mexico border. With the United States-Mexico relationship still tense from the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Revolution, Germany hoped to use that tension to its advantage. The Germans offered to support Mexico and return former Mexican lands (acquired by the United States in the Mexican-American War) to Mexico in exchange for their attack on the United States. The telegram was intercepted by British officials. When presented with this evidence, Woodrow Wilson had little choice but to ask Congress to declare war on Germany.

Recruitment Posters
On Left - I want you for the U.S. Army. US Recruitment/Propaganda Poster, Public Domain
On Right - Tell that to the Marines. US Recruitment/Propaganda Poster By James Montgomery Flagg - 1917 US, Public Domain

World War I at Home

World War I affected all Americans in different ways. With the majority of white males leaving the nation to fight in the war effort, new opportunities for women and minorities emerged. Women’s efforts during the war combined with efforts for women’s rights helped to encourage the movement for women’s suffrage. Women’s contributions to the war effort and President Wilson’s support of women’s suffrage resulted in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which gave women the right to vote for the first time in 1920.

Painting representing the Great Migration by Jacob Lawrence

Moreover, African Americans moved north as they sought new job opportunities with better pay and an escape from discrimination in the South in a population shift known as the Great Migration. It is considered the largest mass migration of a segment of American society in our history. Prior to the war, African Americans who sought jobs faced new discrimination from immigrants competing for the same jobs. With immigration halted during the war, African Americans freely accepted manufacturing jobs for the war effort.

Anti-immigrant hysteria was an issue leading up to and during World War I in the United States. American and European propaganda promoted stereotypes and fears about warring nations and their people. This propaganda spilled over in American society and treatment of immigrants. Fearing espionage and sabotage, President Wilson pushed for the passage of the Espionage and Sedition Acts. Together these acts barred citizens from speaking out against the war and any effort to subvert the war effort. Eugene Debs, a prominent labor organizer and socialist, was arrested for his anti-war speeches.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

Following World War I, United States’ President Woodrow Wilson presented his plan for a lasting global peace through international relationships. Wilson’s plan was known as the Fourteen Points. Points one through five proposed measures to prevent another war. Points six through thirteen discussed how ethnic groups could join other nations or create independent nations of their own. The final fourteenth point presented the idea for an organization to discuss and settle problems without war. This organization was to be known as the League of Nations.

European leaders at the Treaty of Versailles, especially Great Britain and France, looked to punish Germany. As such, Wilson’s Fourteen Points were largely ignored. However, Wilson strongly believed in the League of Nations. Abandoning the other points, Wilson focused on the acceptance of the League of Nations by European countries. Unfortunately, the nation Wilson worked hardest to convince to join the league was his own: the United States. Wilson campaigned nationwide for legislative approval to join the league. His efforts were so focused, many believed they led to a stroke. Many Americans believed that the United States would be dragged into future wars by committing to the League of Nations. Ultimately, that dissent led to the United States Congress’ refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and as a result the United States did not join the League of Nations.

Wilson Addressing Congress on the Fourteen Points by Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Archives from Staunton, VA

Review

Do you know what each term means? Look at the title, determine the definition, then flip the card to see if you are right.