Causes of US Entry into WWI

The US officially joined World War I in 1917.

Historians widely accept that nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliance systems fueled the outbreak of WWI.

Nationalism created intense loyalty to one's nation, fueling tensions between countries. Imperialism, the expansion of empires, led to competition for resources and colonies. Militarism, the build-up of powerful armies, further escalated the environment of fear and aggression.

A network of pre-war agreements between European powers created a chain reaction that drew many nations into the war. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Great Britain) formed intricate alliances, ultimately leading to a domino effect of declarations of war.

The Balkans, nicknamed the "powder keg of Europe", were marked by ethnic tensions between Austria-Hungary's rule over Slavic populations and their desire for independence. This geopolitical instability made the region a flashpoint for conflict, as various empires sought control of the region's resources and influence.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in Sarajevo in 1914 acted as the catalyst for WWI. Austria-Hungary's swift and harsh response, blaming Serbia for the assassination, triggered a diplomatic crisis that escalated into a full-blown war.

A stalemate is a situation where neither side can achieve a decisive victory, often resulting in a prolonged and bloody conflict. Trench warfare in France during WWI perfectly fit this description, as both sides dug in and fought for inches of ground, leading to horrific casualties and little progress.

Trench warfare was a brutal and inhumane style of combat. Soldiers faced conditions of extreme mud, water, and rats, with constant threats of shelling and gas attacks. The fear of "going over the top" and facing enemy machine guns was constant, resulting in horrific casualties and a psychological toll on those involved.

During WWI, American public opinion was divided. Some Americans, particularly those of German descent, sympathized with Germany due to cultural ties. Meanwhile, others, especially those with British heritage, felt a strong connection to the Allied cause. The war also brought about a surge in patriotism and anti-German sentiment, challenging the American ideal of a unified nation.

The US engaged in significantly more trade and lending with the Allied powers (France, Great Britain, Russia) compared to the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire). This is attributed to pre-existing economic ties with the Allied nations and strategic considerations of preventing Germany's dominance in Europe.

Germany, facing a naval blockade by the British, resorted to unrestricted submarine warfare, attacking all ships in the waters around Britain, including neutral American vessels. This was a desperate gamble to starve Britain into submission, but it also carried immense risks, particularly with the potential to escalate conflict with the United States.

In 1915, a German U-boat sank the British passenger liner Lusitania, killing over 100 American civilians. This event outraged American public opinion, escalating tensions with Germany and contributing to the movement towards US involvement in WWI.

The sinking of the Arabic and Sussex, both carrying American passengers, further angered the US. In response to these incidents, Germany agreed to a policy of "restricted submarine warfare", promising to warn merchant ships before attacking them. This agreement temporarily eased tensions, but the undercurrent of conflict remained.

Woodrow Wilson won the 1916 presidential election, largely due to his campaign promise to keep the US out of WWI. However, the course of world events would soon change that.

In 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and sent the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico, proposing an alliance against the US. These actions, revealing Germany's aggressive intentions and disregard for American neutrality, finally tipped the scales, pushing President Wilson towards declaring war.

The February and October Revolutions of 1917 in Russia brought the Bolsheviks to power, leading to Russia's withdrawal from WWI. This development freed up German troops on the Eastern Front, posing an immediate threat to France and Britain. It also contributed to President Wilson's decision to declare war, as he believed that the US's entry was crucial to ensuring a democratic victory.

Passed in 1917, this act established a national draft to expand the US armed forces to meet the demands of WWI. This draft, along with the mobilization of existing forces, helped ensure that the US had sufficient manpower to join the war effort effectively.

General John J. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Europe during WWI. He played a crucial role in organizing and deploying American troops on the Western Front, eventually contributing significantly to the Allied victory.

WWI was a turning point for warfare, introducing mechanized elements that significantly impacted battlefield tactics. Innovations like tanks, aircraft, poison gas, and machine guns transformed warfare, emphasizing the importance of technology and industrial production in modern conflict.

The armistice formally ending WWI was signed at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918. This moment, commemorating the end of a devastating conflict, became the basis for Veterans' Day, a day dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of those who served in the US Armed Forces.