Why Did the United States Enter World War One Essay Example for Free

Why Did the United States Enter World War whiz EssayThe industrial era had many effects, not the least of which was plunging the world into world war. nonpareil moldiness consider the relationship between eras and tied(p)ts as a student of history. The industrial era created a sensed need in the States for raw materials and markets for goods. The United States was not alone in this desire for expansion. solely the industrial nations were in open competition to develop vast empires that would provide them with the fuel to run the f diddleories of industrialism. This imperialistic competition led to focus and the creation of vast armies. The willingness to use these armies was known as militarism. In assemble to feel safe (there was a pretty fair degree of paranoia as you can imagine) nations began to sign dark treaties formingalliances and Europe was divided into an armed camp. Tension was high, the subjugation (taking over) of other nations led to feelings of nationali sm that would ultimately clean-cut the spark that would explode Europe into the flames of conflict.The causes of World War One as discussed above can be summarized by the weding acronym as a mnemonic device A- Alliance European nations signed cabalistic treaties that created a system of alliances pitting nation versus nation. N Nationalism There were intense feelings of nationalism on the part of subjugated nationalities. These feelings would eventually lead to rash acts. I Imperialism Competition to develop vast empires ca utilize tension and conflict. M Militarism Nations built huge armies to defend themselves and help to gain these empires. It was a natural feeling for them to insufficiency to use these militaries. A Anarchy There was no international organization to help them deal with their problems. L Leadership It was poor. Just look at the system they set upquite poor indeed.These were the conditions facing Europe as a crisis emerged in the Balkans. The Archduke of Austria Hungary, a traditional power, was touring the nation of Serbia. Meanwhile Bosnian nationalists desiring freedom from Serbia plotted to slay the Archduke. Gabriel Principe, a member of the Black Hand, the aforementioned Bosnian nationalist group, shot and killed Franz Ferdinand on June 28th 1914.Austria Hungary fault the Serbian government for the assassination of theArchduke and issued an ultimatum (demands). The Serbians agreed to all but two of the demands, one of which was the placement of Austro Hungarian troops within Serbia. The Serbians appealed to Russia for support and Russia as the defendor of the Slavs agreed to support Serbia. Meanwhile the Austro Hungarians that deficient revenge and fearing Russia secured the support of their traditional ally, Germany. In a famous decision Germany issued what has become know as Carte Blanche, of blank check, to Austria Hungary.This unqualified military support from Germany made Austria Hungary rather confident that Russi a would not attack. At this point the Austro Hungarians declared war on Serbia. In response to the declaration of war Russia mobilized her military forces. perhaps it was a bit of saber rattling, perhaps not. Regard little Germany demanded Russia demobilize its army. When Russia refused Germany attacked Russia. The effect of the war on the Russian front were devastating. The Russians were ill prepared for war and lost millions of men. In the end the Czars refusal to exit the war exist him his throne as the Bolsheviks (Communists) revolted in 1917 overthrowing Czar Nicholas II.When the Russians were attacked by Germany, France was obligated to declare war on Germany as a result of a treaty she had signed with Russia. The Germans attacked France by marching through Belgium. The Belgians who did not restrain Germany permission to do this now were in a state of war with Germany as well. The most great byproduct of this was the fact that England had a treaty with Belgium Now England was obligated to declare war on Germany as well. Italy, which had a treaty with Germany switched sides so that she might gain territory from Austria Hungary (A gamble that more or less worked) and the Ottoman Empire entered the war on behalf to the Austro Hungarians (they wanted to gain territory from the Russians and gain control in the Balkan region). Now most of Europe was engulfed in war.In the end the Triple Entente (England, France and Russia posterior to be joined by Italy, the United States and Japan) defeated the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria Hungary and the Ottoman Empire). The conflict which was long and blinking(a) was marked by trench warfare and the use of chemical weapons. It was fought mostly in French territory. At the conclusion ofhostilities Germany was still in French territory but it was relatively relieve oneself that the combined industrial might of the Triple Entente would prevail. In actuality the influence of the United States is questionable. Germa ny hoped to negotiate a favorable treaty but as we shall see this was not to be the case. The Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the war and blaming Germany for the undefiled conflict. This blame and the consequent punishment set the stage for years of resentment and another world war, something the Statesn President Woodrow Wilson had hoped to avoid.So, what did all this have to do with America and why did we enter World War One? Most Americans favored staying out of the conflict and President Wilson publicly and formally stated that the United States would follow a policy of neutrality. In three short years, however, the United States would find itself in the middle of what later became known as the first World War. As the war in Europe raged on America sympathies were clearly on the side of the allies. American propaganda posters urged citizens to buy war bonds and support the allies. The Kaiser and Germans were painted as the aggressors in the war. True or not Americans cam e to see Germany as vicious and blood thirsty. The poster below was used by the US Army in 1917 to recruit soldiers. Notice how the Germans are pictured? This is a clear example of anti German propaganda. When the war began England enforced a naval blockade of Germany in the hopes of harsh off supplies. Germany responded by unleashing the U Boats. U Boats were submarines capable of staying submerged for long periods of metre.They would sneak up upon their victims, a great deal at night, an torpedo them. The Germans did not limit their attacks to military vessels. Any ship sailing in the war zone was considered an enemy. This became known as open-plan submarine warfare. On May 7th 1915 the British cruise ship Lusitania was sunk off the coast of England. Over 1,198 passengers including 128 Americans were killed. America was furious at the brutality and demanded a stop to this type of attack. In 1916, after the sinking of the passenger liner Sussex, Germany agreed to end unrestric ted submarine warfare in the Sussex pledge.The Sussex pledge only put off the inevitable American meekness into the war. America shared acultural bond with England and France. Woodrow Wilson began to actively campaign for Americans to support the allies. Besides being culturally like England and Francewere our trade partners. From 1914 to 1916 trade with the Allies grew from 825 million dollars to 3.2 billion dollars. If the Allies were to lose the war our trade would be threatened. American more and more see Germany as the enemy. Germany was a dictatorship fighting against the great democracies of the world and America as a democratic nation felt an obligation to support them.As America became increasingly less neutral, the British government intercepted a message from the German ambassador Zimmerman to the Mexican government. This message termed the Zimmerman dismantle asked Mexico to attack the United States if war broke out between the U.S. and Germany. The note was turned over to American government a short time later and eventually published in the newspapers. Americans were outraged. Then the Kaiser proclaimed that Germany was going to re initiate the practice of unrestricted submarine warfare violating the Sussex Pledge. Wilson had campaigned for office promising to protect freedom of the seas and now it seemed he had little choice.He had to ask Congress to declare war. Many Americans still wanted to stay out of Europes war and there was much debate in Congress. Wilson closed his wrangle to Congress by saying it is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful great deal into war But the right is more precious then peace and we shall fight for the things which we have forever carried in our hearts. On April 6, 1917, by a vote of 82 to 6 in the Senate and 373 to 50 in the House of Representatives, the United States of America declared war on Germany. Wilson strongly believed that the American system would save the world, meaning1. American econom ic goods2. Americas democratic political structure3. Americas blend of morality and ChristianityWilson statedWhen flop directed, there are no people in the world not fitted for self-government. Note the caveat, when properly directed. Wilson saw the U.S. as the rightful and natural director. He was determined to provide that direction in a modeling where morality, democracy and economics were closely related. Wilson believed that other nations of the world had to look to the U.S. as an example, at the same time America was dependent on therest of the world, mostly for economic markets.The world market must act as the new frontier for the American system. Wilson was determined to direct the affairs of other nations so that they could eventually achieve self-government, as long as this government was based on the American model, and he was even more willing to intervene in other countries than Roosevelt. For instance, he sent U.S. troops to Mexico to intervene in their civil war (19 13-1917). When World War I broke out in Europe in 1914, Wilson tried to keep the U.S. neutral, but Germany repeatedly violated Americas neutral status. When America finally entered the war in 1917 it was because, as Wilson stated, The world must be made safe for democracy.