I Kept Us out of the War - Woodrow Wilson - Essay Example

Despite declaring neutrality, Germany had increasingly engaged United States passenger ships and ships delivering supplies to Europe. In 1915, German submarines sank the RMS Lusitania, a United States passenger ship, without warning. This created substantial public unrest and shifted public opinion towards entering the war. While this ship is perhaps the most historically significant, German submarines demonstrated a history of interference with United States ships. While the two countries reached a post-1915 treaty, Germany ultimately decided to break this treaty in 1917, clearing the way for future aggressive actions, including the sinking of five American ships. In addition to German interference with American neutrality, the Zimmerman telegram constituted a major contributing factor to the United States' involvement. This telegram was sent between Germany and Mexico, intercepted by British intelligence, and interpreted. The telegram indicated that if Mexico joined the war on Germany’s side, in victory they would be awarded the lost territories of Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.

It seems that such a telegram was a valid reason for entering the war. While it would be naïve to assume that this telegram was a primary reason for the United States' involvement, such a telegram demonstrated to the United States public that German aggression extended beyond involvement in Europe but was increasingly advancing to their backyard. Still, United States involvement was inevitable after Germany broke neutrality, such that the Zimmerman telegram was only a pretext. Considering prominent theorists, it’s clear that America had in large part already broken neutrality. Before declaring war on Germany, the United States had actively contributed to the war effort by supplying Britain with military supplies and funding. As such, it’s clear that the United States' involvement in World War I was not only inevitable and recurrent to the Zimmerman telegram, but to an extent had already occurred.

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Had the United States refrained from entering World War I it’s highly possible history would be greatly altered. The United States' involvement ensured that German aggression would be stopped and the general democratic order restored. If Germany had won the war it’s believed Europe would have experienced a significant reduction of personal freedoms. German values of imperialism, militarism and the suppression of minorities would have emerged. While inimical to American values, the predominance of these German social trends throughout Europe would also have created a political climate where future warfare, this time involving the United States, would have been inevitable. Still, another concern was the growing aggression from Mexico. Read More