US Entry into WW1

Causes of US Entry Into WW1

When the First World War broke out in 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson publicly announced that the United States would do everything in its power to remain neutral and not interfere in the European conflict. From 1914 to 1917, the war was contained on the European continent. An ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, stood between the United States and the bloodshed taking place in Europe.

It would seem as if President Woodrow Wilson's hope of staying neutral was truly a possibility. Neutrality, however, was not a luxury the United States could afford.

We will discuss now the two causes of US Entry into WW1:

• sinking of the Lusitania

• Zimmermann telegram

Fig. 1: Woodrow Wilson

Sinking the Lusitania

On 7 May 1915, RMS Lusitania was a ship that was sunk off the southern coast of Ireland. German U-boat SM U-20. was the vessel responsible for its sinking.

Germany was aware that the United States was on good terms with the United Kingdom and as soon as the Great War erupted, the U.S. began sending supplies to Britain. The only way the goods could be delivered, however, was through maritime transportation.

The Germans were aware of this and tried to cut off the United Kingdom from American support. On 4 February 1915, Germany defined British maritime areas as war zones and U-boats began operating within these zones. This was called 'unrestricted submarine warfare' and the Germans sank many ships using their U-boats, including some civilian vessels.

The destruction of vessels both military and civilian angered the United States which still was trying to remain neutral.

Put simply, the United States did not concern itself with events and alliances in Europe and thus stayed out of the war. Wilson was firmly opposed to war and believed that the key aim was to ensure peace, not only for the United States but across the world.

RMS Lusitania is the best example of the victims of unrestricted submarine warfare. The sinking of this vessel not only resulted in 1,198 people on board drowning, which included 128 Americans but also the loss of over 173 tons of ammunition. The sinking of the Lusitania forced America to reconsider its pledge of neutrality.

Fig. 2: Engraving of the Sinking of RMS Lusitania

The Zimmermann Telegram

Germany's master plan at once was to enlist help from two states which would make it possible for Germany to have allies not only in Europe but also beyond the continent in conflict. To gain these allies they first would need to be contacted. Arthur Zimmermann, Germany's foreign secretary sent a secret telegram to Mexico and Japan. The telegram dealt with Zimmermann requesting forming an alliance with both Mexico and Japan and, in turn, offering both of these countries territories of the United States if were they to assist the German cause.

The telegram was ultimately intercepted by the British intelligence cryptanalysis group Room 40. Though the telegram reached both Mexico and Japan, officials of both countries denied Germany any aid as it was obvious to them that their countries were either not ready to challenge the United States, nor did they want to.

The Zimmerman Telegram was sent out in January 1917, as Germany was fully pursuing unrestricted submarine warfare and as it looked, it did plan on stopping. The Zimmerman Telegram in turn became the turning point of the First World War, as it infuriated the United States enough to declare war on Germany and break its neutrality.

It was obvious that the U.S. took the suggestion of an attack on it as a direct provocation from Germany. Paired with thousands of tons of supplies being devastated by German U-boats, it was time to go to war.

Fig. 3: The Zimmermann Telegram as Decoded by Room 40

Fig. 4: Caricature depicting the Zimmermann Telegram

Impact of US Entry Into WW1

On 6 April 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary in December. American forces landed in Europe in June 1917. What was more important was that the United States could now fully concentrate on supplying the U.K and other allies. with goods and ammunition. In just a year, the combined forces of the United States, France and the United Kingdom managed to stop the Germans and subsequently their allies in Europe.

Significance of US Entry Into WW1

Although the U.S. entered the First World War closer to its end, the fact that it did laid the foundation for future British-American relations. It was clear that an American military presence in Europe was seen not only as a positive but as an absolute necessity.