The United States Entered World War I Essay - 1560 Words

World War I devastated Europe and brought unprecedented human suffering. There were more than 38 million military and civilian casualties: 17 million deaths and over 20 million wounded, and a toll of $186 billion in direct costs, and an $151 billion in indirect costs. [1] The allied powers negotiated the Treaty of Versailles, which officially brought the war to end in June of 1919, with very limited participation by Germany. The provisions of the treaty primarily blamed Germany for the war, and imposed unreasonable terms that were responsible for German expansion, hyperinflation, and economic downfall, and eventually led directly to World War II. [2] The United States entered World War I because of German submarine warfare against merchant ships trading with Britain and France, which led to the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in which 128 American lives were lost. [3] The US had also intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram which had been sent between Germany and Mexico, urging Mexico to declare war against the United States. [4] When President Wilson sought to enter the war, however, his objectives went beyond the defense of U.S. maritime interests. In his War Message to Congress, he stated that the U.S. objective was â€Å"to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world.† The U.S. Senate voted On April 4, 1917, in support of the measure to declare war on Germany. Two days later the House concurred. [5] On January 8, 1918, President Wilson issued a statementShow MoreRelatedUnited States Entered World War I1227 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1917, as the United States entered World War I, Congress established a system that addressed Veterans benefits which included programs for disability compensation, insurance for service members and Veterans as well as rehabilitative treatments for those that were disabled (www.va.gov). Three years later, 3 separate federal agencies: the Veterans Bureau, Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department and National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers were charged with administering these benefitsRead MoreWhy The United States Entered World War I942 Words   |  4 PagesWorld War I This essay will examine all nine readings. There will also be insight given to why the United States entered World War I, and whether or not the reasons were persuasive. Other things will also be discussed, including: what America’s war aims were, and how Wilson’s goals were unrealistic, misleading, overly idealistic and moralistic. The fact that Wilson expected too much of international law and international organization. Also, why Wilson’s goals were not achieved. That the nationalRead MoreWorld War I And II Impact On The United States1721 Words   |  7 PagesInvolvement in World War I II Alliances and treaties turned international incidents into world wars. The majority of both wars were fought on European and Asian soil, along with the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The wars had a huge effect on the United States; on the economy and its society. Most of the physical damage took place overseas, but both World War I and II had lasting effects on the United States and its people. World War II had a greater impact on the United States than World War I, becauseRead MoreThe United States1391 Words   |  6 PagesThe entrance of the United States of America into the First World War in 1917 on the sides of the allies impacted the outcome of the Great War by tilting the strategic military balance in favor for the allies and against the Central Powers. The Central Powers, made up of the German Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austria-Hungarian Empire, were fighting to preserve their empires in light of geopolitical shifts occurring at the time. The US entered the war partia lly to restore Global Peace andRead MoreThe War to End All Wars: An Analysis Essay1311 Words   |  6 Pages Known as the Great War or the â€Å"war to end all wars,† World War I spanned from 1914 to 1918 and involved most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other countries around the globe. The war pitted the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy and Turkey—against the Allies—France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy (Italy switched sides in 1915), Japan, and, from 1917, the United States. The war can be traced back to five main causes, militarism, alliancesRead MoreEssay about Why the United States Entered World War Two1644 Words   |  7 PagesAutonomy and Responsibility: Why the United States Entered World War II World War II was an exceptional war for the United States. The United States emerged from the war as a world superpower and protector of all other nations. There were many reasons why the United States entered World War II, however President Franklin Roosevelt was in some way directly connected to every reason. Roosevelt wanted to enter World War II as soon as it started for political and economic needs. However, the AmericanRead MoreWw1 Dbq792 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1914 World War I began, Europe got quickly involved. As we know the United States is a neutral nation because George Washington believed in neutrality for this nation. President Woodrow Wilson announced that the U.S would stay neutral during World War I. Germany kept instigating the United States to get involved with this war so their decision was made. On April 6th 1917 the United States was fully in World War I. This was a smart decision of them to make. The Germans wanted the United StatesRead MoreEssay on World War I: United States Involvement 1233 Words   |  5 Pages He Kept us Out of War (World War I Quotes). This quote was a democratic slogan stated during the election of 1916 on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson. This slogan makes an attempt to refer to the good leadership qualities and decisions that President Wilson made to keep the United States of America out of the war and that is why he should be elected again to serve as President. Though this made a valid argument to show that Wilson was smart to keep us out of war, many events took place thatRead MoreAmerica s Motives For The War I1419 Words   |  6 PagesAt the beginning of World War I, the United States of America’s motives for the war was to remain neutral. Neutrality was a decision favored by most Americans during the time. World War I boosted the American economy because the Allies needed ammunition and Americans as their trade partners were to pro duce it, this will later affect Germany’s decision to continue their strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare on ships. Neutrality was hard to maintain when the United States’ closest trading partnerRead MoreWoodrow Wilson And The Progressive Movement888 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States of America’s involvement in World War I went against the very fabric of the country’s existence. Rejection of the founding principles of America by leaders like Woodrow Wilson lead to the nation’s involvement in the Great War. This involvement ultimately lead to greater instability and worldwide catastrophes. Woodrow Wilson and the progressive movement rejected America’s isolation, propagated a progressive ideology, and caused worldwide instability by intervening in the First World