History
Paper Due Date
Research Questions
Q. List the causes of First World War? Why was it called “World” war?
Q. List the reason for America’s involvement in the word war? Include the reasons mentioned by President Wilson for justification to enter the war?
Q. How did the war influence the American Government and Society? Illustrate with an example.
Q. Why did United States not enter the War in 1914? When did United States enter the war, which side they chose and Why?
Q. What was the ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM? Who found it and what role did it play in World War I?
Thesis
In this paper we will discuss why Unites States entered the First World War. Also, how the government made the most of the war by boosting industrial and agricultural production through recruitment of raw materials and labor to help allies win the war.
America in the Great War
Assassination of Austria’s Archduke Ferdinand by zealot from Serbia on 28th June 1914 led to heated tension in European countries. By the fall of 1915, Allies comprising of France, Britain, Russia, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, Japan and Montenegro were battling Central powers of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire. In 1914, when World war erupted, President Wilson issued America’s Neutrality. This outlook changed due to acts of World War. By February of 1917, Germany had announced its policy of submarine warfare which was unrestricted due to the unbalance in trade with Allies. This involved immediate sinking of all vessels found in war zone without any prior warning. Diplomatic relations between United States and Germany were severed.
In same year, British intelligence found the Zimmermann Telegram. This was the message sent by Germany’s foreign minister to Mexico to court their support in case United States entered the War. Zimmerman in that letter promised to Mexico that the states of New Mexico, Arizona and Texas which they had lost to United States in 1848 will be returned to then. This happened in a period when the relations between Mexico and United States were strained. Despite the recent sour relations Mexico declined Germany’s offer and Wilson decided to release the telegram through American Press.
America declared war on Germany in April 1917 after unrestricted warfare through submarine from Germany, heavy losses of American lives on high seas, Attack on Lusitania and its sinking. At this time, Allies were running a losing battle as Russia went through an eruption of revolution in March 1917 and decided to forfeit the war. At the Battle of Caporetto, Italy faced massive defeat to Austria as more than 275,000 soldiers were captured. French Army were in Mutiny as fear of collapse of their armed forced were feared from within. In Britain, German Submarines has been successful and the collapse of Britain was estimated within coming months.
President Wilson chose General Pershing as head of American Expeditionary Force. Pershing asked for Million men but America’s delivered slowly with reply of just 420,000 men by spring of 420,000. First time American troops saw action was in May 1918 along the Marne River. On September 1918, Pershing led an attack on area of Saint-Mihiel in East of France which led to retreat of German army. By October, America has pushed through Argonne Forest which led to crack in High command of Germany due to persistence of Allied onslaught. By November 9, General Ludendorff resigned and fled to Sweden, Germany’s naval unit faced mutiny with Kaiser abdicated and on November 11th, armistice was signed by Germany which ended the War.
The War had its Impact on United States too as many women who had been vocal supporters during the war for preservation of democracy, were granted the right to vote through ratification of 19th Amendment.
Strengths of Sources
US History: Well informed documentation of reasons why war started in Europe.
Eyewitness History: Clear idea of why United States entered the First World War and the plans and action that was taken by General Pershing to win the War.
America Story from America Library: Documents the after effects of the war on United States with ratification of 19th Amendment.
Weakness of Sources
US History: No mention of how war benefited United States through increased output in agriculture and industrial production.
Eyewitness History: Does not mention the aftereffects of the war on American society and Government.
America Story from America Library: No mention of how United states helped Allies in winning the war.
Conclusion
United States entered the First World War on 1917 due to economic and cultural ties with Allies, German violation of neutral rights of America at sea and President Wilson’s goal to have world order through use of American power. With this war America emerged as superpower with its increased revenues from warfare, agriculture and industrial production.
References
“45a. Farewell to Isolation”, US History Pre-Columbian to New Millenium, http://www.ushistory.org/us/45a.asp
“America in the Great War", EyeWitness to History, (2000), www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi1.htm
"U.S. Entered World War I", America Story from Americas Library, www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_wwi_3.html
