19. Why America participated in the First World War?
The First World War was fought between the Central powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Allied powers (Russia, Great Britain, France and US). From the outset, the Central powers were dominating the war. The German forces inflicted colossal damages on the Allied powers and were just a few days away from an outright victory. The war had begun in 1914 and until December 1917 the US remained neutral or had not participated in any offensive. American president, Woodrow Wilson, wanted to keep the US out of the "European" conflict. As Wilson said “we are the only one of the great white nations that is free from war today and it would be crime against civilization for us to go in”. However, a range of factors compelled the United States to take part in the war and spearhead the offensive against the Central powers. As a matter of fact, the US entry into the War turned the tables on the enemy and the Central powers were made to bite the dust.
Wilson was enraged but he ruled out military option, but it hardened his opinion of Germans. In order to avoid confrontation with US, Germany ordered its U-boat commanders to halt attacks on passenger liners.
Another British ship named “Arabic” sunk later killing two Americans. From August 1914 to March 1917, only 3 Americans died on American ships while 197 on Belligerent parties’ ships.
This resolution was passed to stop American passengers from boarding belligerent ships carrying contraband. But it was defeated in the Congress as the president was insist on it is the right of citizen. As a result, American continued boarding belligerent ships and came under German attacks multiple times.
In March, 1916, a French vessel was sunk crossing the English Channel, in which four Americans were killed. German pledged not to repeat the folly. But the incident was strongly resented by Americans. Although German had violated the pledge.
German in Feb, 1917, startled Wilson by launching unrestricted attacks on submarines of belligerent or neutral countries. Many American submarines were attacked and plundered. Wilson broke diplomatic ties with Germany.
With the German challenge to American economic and neutral rights, it now attempted to threat Americans security. British intelligence agency intercepted, decoded and handed to the American government a telegram addressed to German minister in Mexico from foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It instructed minister to tell Mexican government that if it joined a military alliance against the US, Germany would help recover them territories it had lost in 1848.
Congress declared war on 6th April by 373 to 50 votes in house and 82 to 6 in senate. The United States later declared war on German ally Austria-Hungary on December 7, 1917.
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| Warring parties (1914-1919) |
1 .Lusitania sinking 1915
On May 1, 1915, with over 12 hundred passengers and carrying cargo of foodstuff and contraband, the British ship Lusitania left the New York City. Before its departure a warning was issued by Germany for the passengers to disembark but it fell on deaf ears. On May 7, it was destroyed by U-20, killing 1198 people including 128 Americans.Wilson was enraged but he ruled out military option, but it hardened his opinion of Germans. In order to avoid confrontation with US, Germany ordered its U-boat commanders to halt attacks on passenger liners.
Another British ship named “Arabic” sunk later killing two Americans. From August 1914 to March 1917, only 3 Americans died on American ships while 197 on Belligerent parties’ ships.
2. Gore-McLemore Resolution 1916
This resolution was passed to stop American passengers from boarding belligerent ships carrying contraband. But it was defeated in the Congress as the president was insist on it is the right of citizen. As a result, American continued boarding belligerent ships and came under German attacks multiple times.
3. Sussex: French vessel attack in 1916
In March, 1916, a French vessel was sunk crossing the English Channel, in which four Americans were killed. German pledged not to repeat the folly. But the incident was strongly resented by Americans. Although German had violated the pledge.
4. German declaration of war in February 1917
German in Feb, 1917, startled Wilson by launching unrestricted attacks on submarines of belligerent or neutral countries. Many American submarines were attacked and plundered. Wilson broke diplomatic ties with Germany.
5. Zimmerman Telegram Feb 1917
With the German challenge to American economic and neutral rights, it now attempted to threat Americans security. British intelligence agency intercepted, decoded and handed to the American government a telegram addressed to German minister in Mexico from foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It instructed minister to tell Mexican government that if it joined a military alliance against the US, Germany would help recover them territories it had lost in 1848.
6. Moral reasons
Apart from other reasons, many Americans were of the view that Germany and its allies were aggressor in the war. As a great power, a heavy responsibility falls on the US leadership to defend liberal ideologies by siding with the Allied Powers (Russia, France and Great Britain). The German forces were consistently targeting neutral ships and killing innocent people. Such a brazen violation of International law pricked the conscience of Americans, who later compelled Woodrow Wilson to declare war on Germany. President Wilson had repeatedly pronounced "make the world safe for democracy".Declaration of war in April, 1917:
Germany treachery caused ire within US. Now people across US seriously started contemplating the war option. After releasing the notorious telegram to the press, Wilson called up a Congress session and asked to declare a war on Germany. Adding ‘the world must be safe for democracy’Congress declared war on 6th April by 373 to 50 votes in house and 82 to 6 in senate. The United States later declared war on German ally Austria-Hungary on December 7, 1917.
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