America’s BackgroundWWI began in the summer of 1914. During this time,
America decided to remain neutral.
One of the reasons for this neutrality was the vast amount of immigrants in America. They were from
countries on both sides of the war and had a personal attachment or relatives in Europe fighting. For America
to chose a side would disrespect the heritage and culture of many Americans. Therefore America was
divided and a position of neutrality would satisfy everyone.
Americans were satisfied with the position of neutrality & it would take a couple of huge events that would convince them otherwise.
These two events would be the: - Sinking of the Lusitania - Zimmerman Telegram
The British ship, the Lusitania was sunk in
May 1915. The ship had left New York and was
headed to Europe when it was sunk by a German
U-boat. The ship took 18 minutes to sink as 1,153 passengers and crew drowned. There were 128 American
passengers among them.
Before this incident, New York newspapers had ran a
warning (paid by the German Embassy) saying that any ship sailing into the European War Zone
was at risk of being shot by German submarines. Also many passengers received
anonymous telegrams advising them not to travel
on the ship.
The passengers ignored the warnings because the Lusitania was bragged to being the fastest
and largest ship in the Atlantic. It could outpace any other vessel above or below the
water. ..so there was no need for worry.
In March the following year (1916), a German submarine torpedoed a French passenger boat, the Sussex. A couple of Americans
passengers aboard were wounded.
The attack prompted the United States to end diplomacy with the
Germany. The German government made a pledge to give America advanced
warning before sinking merchant and passenger
ships. This would give the passengers and crew a chance to get in a safe
position.
However in January 1917, it was clear that Germany was not going to abide by this
pledge as they announce their immediate use of unrestricted submarine warfare.
The last straw for America was the interception of the Zimmerman telegram
by the British in January 1917.
The telegram was given to the United States in
February and was released
to the American press in March 1917.
This telegram was from the
German Foreign Minister to the
German Minister to Mexico but
intercepted by the British.
In addition to Germany’s unrestricted warfare, this
telegram angered the American people. The
telegram pushed America towards
war.
On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies. America had officially entered WWI.
If you think about the facts presented, there are many holes
and unanswered questions.
Take a few minutes and go over your notes. Write down anything
that you think might be questionable and ASK the question.
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