Despite the fact that World War I started in 1914, the United States did not enter the conflict until 1917. The United States’ involvement in the conflict had a big impact. The U.S.’s additional men, resources, and weaponry contributed to the Allies winning the war on a balance.
Remaining Neutral
The US followed a neutral stance when war broke out in 1914. Many Americans believed that the conflict involved “old world” nations and had little to do with them. Additionally, because so many immigrants had ties to both sides of the conflict, public opinion on the war was frequently divided.
Sinking of the Lusitania
The popular opinion in the United States on the war started to shift when the Germans destroyed the passenger ship Lusitania in 1915, which had 159 Americans on board. 1,198 unintentional passengers were slain in this act. The rallying cry “Remember the Lusitania” was used on recruitment posters and to unify the populace against the Germans when the United States ultimately entered the war two years later.
Zimmerman Telegram
A covert telegram written by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman to the German ambassador in Mexico was intercepted and decrypted by the British in January 1917. He suggested that Mexico join forces with Germany to oppose the US. The states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona were among his promises to them.
War Declaration
The deciding factor was the Zimmerman Telegram. On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson addressed Congress and urged them to declare war on Germany. He claimed in his address that America will go to war to “fight for the ultimate peace of the world.” The United States formally declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
American troops in Europe
General John J. Pershing was in charge of the American army in Europe. The United States initially had few trained soldiers available to dispatch to Europe. However, the draught and volunteers allowed the army to quickly expand. There were roughly 2 million American soldiers in France by the end of the war.
The United States forces arrived in time to help the Allies win the war. Both sides were worn out and short on soldiers. The addition of new troops significantly contributed to the Allies’ victory over the Germans and helped to raise their morale.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
President Wilson announced his infamous Fourteen Points after joining the conflict. These were his proposals for peace and America’s objectives in joining the conflict. Only Wilson made his war objectives known in public. Wilson’s Fourteen Points included the creation of a League of Nations, which he felt would contribute to the future abolition of war.
After the War
Following the defeat of Germany, President Wilson campaigned for the rest of Europe and the Allies to abide by his Fourteen Points. Wilson wished for a speedy post-war recovery for all of Europe, especially Germany. Due to disagreements, France and Britain imposed severe reparations on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. The United States negotiated their own peace agreement with Germany instead of signing the Treaty of Versailles.
Facts worth knowing about the US involvement in World War I
In World War I, the United States had 4,355,000 military soldiers. There were 322,000 casualties, including 116,000 slain soldiers.
Despite not officially joining the Allies, the United States referred to itself as a “associated power”.
The U.S. Navy significantly contributed to the blockade of Germany, preventing supplies from reaching the country and harming its economy.
The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) were the name given to the American forces that were deployed to Europe during World War I.
During the conflict, American soldiers were referred to as “doughboys.”