Why did the United States abandon its neutrality and enter World War 1 in 1917?
There were many events that slowly but surely ignited the spark for America to abandon its neutrality and enter the war such as the sinking of the Lusitania, unrestricted submarine warfare, and the Zimmerman telegram.
Document 1 identifies the fact that President Wilson was firm in the belief that the United States Of America will stand as a neutral position in the war. Moreover, as for the people of America he believes that their neutrality will speak for itself. “Every many who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned”. He is trying to convince the people of America that this is the right decision and that there is no need for America to be involved in the troubles of the European nations. Document two represents the U.S Exports to Europe from 1910-1915 through a bar graph. This visual representation signifies the lack of exports being sent to the central powers such as Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1915, one year after the war begins. Exports were being sent from 1910 to 1914 to all four empires until 1915. After stating their neutrality in words, that did not seem like the case in terms of exports and maintaining their position as a neutral power. Most of the events that ignited the spark to the US’s entry started in 1915 with the sinking of the Lusitania. Document 3 emphasizes the Sinking of the Lusitania as a catastrophe to the government of the United States. “by which over 100 American citizens lost their lives, it is clearly wise and desirable that the government of the United States…should come to a clear and full understanding as to the grave situation which has resulted”. The consequences brought to America as a result of the sinking led them to open their