Reasons For America's Involvement In World War 1

1009 Words5 Pages
Alina Rodriguez February 3, 2010 In 1914 a little feud between two different countries became bigger which led to World War 1. First it was two countries, and because of different alliances it grew into something bigger. It became the Great War; America was neutral in the beginning of the war because President Woodrow Wilson of the United States at the time believed he could isolate America. President Wilson also didn’t believe in war but eventually, America did end up getting involved in World War 1. America was neutral because President Wilson believed he could isolate America from the European Countries. President Wilson believed in neutrality and he thought everyone should believe in it also. “Every man who really loves America…show more content…
On April 22, 1913 the Imperial German Embassy sent the United States a telegram warning us to stay away from German waters. “Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or of any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travelers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk” (doc.4). What it’s basically saying is they will destroy any ship with a flag other than the German flag will be destroyed no matter what. The method they were using was Submarine Warfare. The passengers on the ship loved the thrill of the ride. On May 8, 1915 The New York Times came out with an article saying that the Lusitania had sunk. “LUSITANIA SUNK BY A SUBMARINE, PROBABLY 1,260 DEAD; TWICE TORPEDOED OFF IRISH COAST; SINKS IN 15 MINUTES; CAPT. TURNER SAVED, FROHMAN AND VANDERBILT MISSING; WASHINGTON BELIEVES THAT A GRAVE CRISIS IS AT HAND” (doc. 5). America was neutral and on one ship 1,260 were dead which showed that Germany didn’t care about neutrality by destroying any ship that wasn’t theirs. Many Americans were outraged at the fact they had sunk an American boat since we were neutral at the time. The Lusitania was later found out to be a ship that carried weapons and passengers. On January 10, 1917 just a few months before America went to war, America got a telegram from Great Britain. Apparently the German Foreign Minister sent a telegram to the German Ambassador in Mexico. “We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis; make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona” (doc.6). Meaning that if Mexico helps out Germany they will give them money for anything needed and
Open Document