Propaganda blog

3/28/2016

As you all should know by now, citizens have used propaganda posters to express their views since the birth of our nation. These propaganda posters are most often times used to sway public opinion regarding war. In some instances, propaganda posters are used to support U.S. participation in war, and in other instances propaganda posters can be used to show opposition to war. Last week, you created original propaganda posters. You were tasked with creating a poster from the point of view of one of the military branches, government bureaucracies or anti-war organizations. You did not necessarily have to agree with the poster that you created. For this assignment today, you are to consider ALL or the reasons that the U.S. got involved in the Great War and post a blog which answers the question: Did America have to get involved in the war? Why or why not? Were there other alternatives? Be sure to reference the reasons for U.S. entry into the Great War in your answer. Remember to also respond to another classmates post after you have submitted your blog. See you all soon.

95 Comments

Gavin Rardin

3/28/2016 11:41:12 am

Britain, America's ally, had four main troubles that lead to joining the war, the first of which began with suspicion. Militarism caused Britain to become suspicious of Germany. Germany set up alliances with Austria-Hungary, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. Britain, feeling even more threatened, joined with Russia and France. Imperialism, competition for land and colonization, created tension between the Allies and the Central powers. Nationalism was the fourth main reason. Nationalists felt that their country could do no wrong, and therefore were fit to rule.
America had four other reasons for joining. Germany sank the Lusitania, an American-British trade ship. Unbalanced and scared, Germany signed the Sussex Pledge, promising to show itself and warn before firing. Later, though, Germany broke the pledge and sank more American merchants, a second reason. Third was the intercepted Zimmermann Telegraph, a plea from Germany to Mexico to attack America if it showed any sign of declaring war. In return, it would help Mexico regain the Mexican Cession. The final reason was not from the opponent, but of the Ally. Russia, a dictator-ruled country, fell into civil war. Czar Nicholas II was thrown from power, and a quickly set-up democracy was placed. Wilson could not fight alongside a non-democratic country, so he was now able to apply for the declaration of war.
America had other alternatives. It could have waited on the side, watching the stalemate either draw out or become overturned by one side or the other. But, it could have gone the wrong way; had Germany won, not only would America's allies be gone, the central powers would be even more powerful, and would be coming after the rest of the world. Joining the war was the only thing we could have done without relying on chance.

Paul E.

3/28/2016 01:48:51 pm

I think you did this wrong. Anyway, I liked the reasons you had.

Gavin

3/29/2016 01:28:34 pm

I understand your point, but I do want to add that I DO have a third paragraph which answers the question; given I could put more strength into it.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:04:48 am

Paul is correct, you didn't quite approach this in the correct fashion. We'll talk about it in class.

Gavin

3/29/2016 01:36:04 pm

To correct and add;
America would be put to shame if it stood by the side and waited while its ally drew out the stalemate. Americans themselves were patriots and nationalists, and had the industrial power and manpower to enter the war. While continuing our trade with the countries, Germany instigated and provoked the fight it deserved by sinking the Lusitania and others. Relying on Mexico to stop America from entering the war shows the Germans' cowardice, and we couldn't allow a coward to rule with its sly, feeble reign.

Paul E.

3/28/2016 01:47:20 pm

America didn't have to get involved in the Great War because it would have been better to stay neutral, rather than kill lots of people. Some alternatives could have been to just trade with the side you supported, and that's it, or to not help anyone at all, and don't get involved in any way. It would have been a lot less troubling if the U.S. just cut off ties with Germany and the Central Powers, and to just trade and sell things to the Allies. Also the Zimmermann telegram wouldn't have affected to the U.S. as long as they didn't enter the war. Though they started to dislike Germans after that, a way to show their hatred for Germany peacefully would have been to just cut off ties, and stop trading together. Another reason why the U.S. didn't have to get involved in the Great War because though Russia got rid of their czar, so they had no person that ruled with absolute power, they could have supported Russia in another way.

Law-Rel B

3/28/2016 01:54:04 pm

I totally agree with the reasons that you gave in your piece.

Niamiah J.

3/28/2016 09:28:27 pm

I agree with your statement 100%. The reasons you provided are quite strong and backed up with good evidence.

Makayla R.

3/28/2016 10:46:28 pm

I completely agree with your response.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:21:16 am

Trading with the side that the U.S. supports completely contradicts the premise of neutrality.

Paul E.

3/29/2016 11:32:32 am

I see what your talking about Mr. Husband, since it would technically be lying if they said they were neutral and still traded with one side.

Gavin

3/29/2016 01:44:34 pm

Cutting off ties or trading specifically and pointedly with one side simultaneously puncture's America's ideals of neutralism and isolationism, and lead the other side to attack just as Germany did, but now with reason. The Zimmermann telegraph was the act of a coward, and Mexico was likely to instigate a war anyways, having lost the Mexican cession and having Germany to back it up. Supporting Russia in any other way would also trigger Germany's attack sequence for pretenses of favoritism, and your claim of Russia's lack of leadership shows your lack of knowledge about the shortly placed democracy lead by Vladimir Lenin.

Gavin

3/29/2016 01:47:54 pm

I apologize for my rudeness in the comment.

Wolfgang

3/28/2016 01:49:44 pm

I do not think the U.S. needed to join the war because many of the reasons they joined was because they abandoned their way of neutrality. If they didn’t take offense to submarine warfare they would not have asked the Germans for peace. If the Germans did not perceive the U.S. as unfair to them then the Zimmerman plot and maybe even the reemergence of submarines would not have happened. Once the Titania sunk the U.S. seemed to be aiding the allies more than the central power, by asking the Germans for peace and by providing more supplies to the Allies. There are two alternatives to joining the Allies. The first is to stay neutral. If the U.S. did this, there would be no consequences. No heavy casualties would be sustained and no extra money would have been spent on supplies and bureaucracies. If the U.S. took this option the positive would be the lack of negatives. The other alternative is to join the Central Powers. The positives of this choice are the same as the positives of joining the Allies, but with the central powers. If they did join the central power they were still very likely to win, especially if Russia still dropped out.

Renina W

3/28/2016 07:05:33 pm

I personally respectfully disagree but many good points support your thinking.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:26:17 am

As do I...

Shad Walker link

3/29/2016 11:40:01 am

Adrian F.

3/28/2016 11:26:51 pm

I agree, and I liked all of your points, good job.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:25:45 am

But they did compromise their neutrality by disproportionately trading w the Allied Powers... Can't play the game of "what if's"... All things considered (just as they happened), did the U.S. have to go to war?

Wolfgang C.

3/29/2016 11:27:37 am

The answer would still be no. Even if we had gone to the point when America did enter the war, all they had to do was fix their neutrality. Germany was scared that America would enter the war, which ironically caused America to join. If America negotiated with them about trading instead of peace then they could have stayed neutral.

Aliyah C.

3/28/2016 01:50:02 pm

The events that led to the U.S. joining the war in 1917 was first off when a boat called the Lusitania got torpedoed by a German submarine and 128 Americans died. It outraged Wilson and he threatened to break off diplomatic relations. It violated the Sussex Pledge and sank merchant ships. Next, Arthur Zimmerman who was Germany's foreign secretary sent a secret note called the Zimmerman telegram which was to urge Mexico to attack the U.S. if the U.S. ever declared war on Germany. Americans hears this plot and an anti-Germany feeling soared. The Zimmerman plot was a threat to the U.S. because Mexico and Germany could get the Mexican Cession territories. Third, German submarines sank many U.S. merchant ships which put the U.S. against Germany even more. Lastly, a Russian revolution drove czar Nicholas the second out of power, and for hundreds of years, czars were in power. Riots were forming and they were protesting the food shortage and they eventually forced the czar to step down. Wilson supported the Russians overthrowing the czar because he supported the Allies and without the czar it was easier. I don't think that the United States had to get involved in the war because the incidents that led the U.S. to joining the war were kind of minor. They weren't so serious that the U.S. had to go into a complete war for it. Even though the Allied Powers and the Central Powers would still be at odds, it would be enough to save lives. An alternative for the U.S. joining the war could be a peaceful settlement like the treaty's that have been signed in times before.

Olivia F.

3/28/2016 04:24:28 pm

Good job, Aliyah!. You have really good information, also. Well done!

Kayla

3/28/2016 08:20:16 pm

I agree with everything you said and your response is very detailed.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:28:44 am

But wouldn't the U.S. appear weak and be susceptible to future attacks if they didn't respond to these so called "minor" attacks?

Aliyah C.

3/29/2016 11:35:32 am

I don't think that the U.S. would appear weak and be susceptible to future attacks if they didn't respond to those minor attacks because that just shows that they are neutral if they don't react. If the U.S. were to go to war they would go against their policy. Other nations would just have to understand that it isn't a form of being weak.

Law-Rel B

3/28/2016 01:50:53 pm

In my opinion I do not think that the United States really needed to get involved in the war. If you look back you could see that the problem that the United States had was really with Germany. For example when Germany sunk the Lusitania after America had made an agreement with them to make sure that they should give any passenger ships a warning before they shot them with a torpedo. Also one of Germany's foreign secretary's had told told a German minister in Mexico that they should attack the United States and they would help them win back the land that America had won through the Mexican Cession. These are just two of the four reasons that America had joined the war. Instead of joining the war I just think that they should stop with any assistance that they were giving to Germany. They should have stopped trading with them and then Germany probably would have lost the war without any goods that the United States were providing to them. Also they would have avoided any troubles that were going on during the time of the war.

Aliyah C.

3/28/2016 01:52:12 pm

I really like your response! Good work.

Daybue

3/28/2016 01:56:59 pm

i like your points and i agree with the things you said.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:31:40 am

Okay, but the Zimmerman Plot must be viewed as an act of aggression, and taken seriously... Wouldn't you think?

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:34:30 am

And they did stop trading with them...

Law-Rel B

3/29/2016 11:27:28 am

I know that they had stopped trading with them I was trying to state that they should have just stopped trading with them, and not join the war.

Paul E.

3/29/2016 11:36:43 am

Where is reason 4? The last couple of sentences you have only support reason #3.

Law-Rel B

3/29/2016 11:41:34 am

In my piece I only explained two pieces of why I thought that the United States only had a problem with Germany.

Ronald Williams

3/28/2016 01:55:24 pm

One reason for america joining in World War 1 is that their ships would repeatedly attacked by German submarines. Also Russia was going through a revolution. They had overthrown the Czar or the king Czar Nicholas. With the Russians not being a dictatorship and now a democracy America could now join forces with them. Before america would not ally with a dictatorship. The final reason why America joined the war was because England and France would also be joining the war. I think America did have to join the war because If they did not join more lives would have been taken due to the war.

Willa G.

3/28/2016 05:29:06 pm

I completely agree. More lives could have been lost than were if America did not get involved. Germany was becoming a threat to America and the US had to protect its own country by going on the offensive before Germany killed more Americans with their U boats.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:33:07 am

You have to explain yourself better than that, brother. Needs much more opinion.

Shad Walker

3/29/2016 11:36:00 am

OMG that like exactly what I wrote, brothah.

Paul E.

3/29/2016 11:38:55 am

Did you do this right because you just put the reasons for why America went to war.

Grace

3/28/2016 01:55:45 pm

I feel that the U.S. did have to get involved in the war. I feel this because Germany continued to not cooperate and kill U.S. citizens. On May 7th 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, that had at least 128 Americans that died on the ship. Woodrow Wilson was furious, because he warned Germans that they would be held responsible if they damaged American property or lives. He threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Germany, so Germany made an agreement called the Sussex Pledge. This agreement said that German submarines need to surface and give warning before attacking any ships. However, this agreement was not kept, which is why I think the U.S. should have gotten involved. On February 1st 1917, Germany announced that their submarines would have orders to sink any ship nearing Britain. This violated the Sussex Pledge, and when a few American merchants were sunk, Americans were furious, and the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. I think that these reasons were ones that the U.S. should get involved in the war. Germany killed American citizens even though they had no part in the war at that time. An agreement was made to fix this problem, but Germany broke it, killing even more Americans. Normally I am against war, and I think that coming up with other solutions is a better answer. However, American and Germany did come up with a solution, but Germany violated it. Germany was simply not going to cooperate and not going to honor the Sussex Pledge, so the U.S. had to join the war. Other alternate methods of solving the problem were already tried out, but did not succeed. The U.S. had to join the war.

After Germany killed many American lives, news came to light of them planning to take even more. In February 1917, Woodrow Wilson found out that Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a secret message to the German minister in Mexico, that said that if the U.S. attacked Germany, to persuade Mexico to attack the U.S. In return, Germany promised to help Mexico win back the territories won by the U.S. in the Mexican Cession. Again, Germany threatened to kill and take American lives, as well as take American property. Germany continued to get out of control and threaten the United States, and the only way to deal with it was to join the war. The final reason the U.S. joined the war was because the czar in Russia was driven out of power. Now, the United States did not have to be allies with a dictatorship. This pushed the U.S. into joining the war, and soon after, Congress voted into going into the war. I do think that all these reasons were valid into the U.S. joining. Germany killed Americans, violated their word, and threatened the U.S. Russia becoming a democracy was the final push for the U.S. to enter. I do think the U.S. did have to join the war, because all of the alternate solutions with Germany did not work out.

Alani R.

3/28/2016 08:08:19 pm

I strongly agree with you. You had many points to support and back up your position.

Shadrach Walker

3/29/2016 11:33:56 am

I agree with Alani, good job as always grace!

Daybue H.

3/28/2016 01:56:17 pm

America had to enter the war for many reasons. One main reason was trade. When the two parties; Central Powers and The Allies starting fighting they were in search for supplies and resources. At the time the United States was a neutral country and was not looking forward to entering the war. For a long time they just settled on trading with the parties that were fighting in the war. Until it came to a point where they started to do more across the board trading with the Allies more than they did with the Central Powers. At this point the could no longer be classified as a neutral country and had to enter and join in the fight. There was also another reason that they join, which made it necessary for them to join. When they were neutral, they came to an agreement with Germany that made Germany check ships before they sunk or torpedoed them. But when Germany broke the agreement the U.S had no choice but to go against them. There were other alternatives, like mind their business and let Germany win, but then that wold be a horrible idea, so technically there was no other alternative.

Wolfgang C.

3/28/2016 06:22:18 pm

I do agree that unequal trade was a big factor in Germany feeling betrayed and threatened by the U.S. If they had stayed equal or even traded slightly more with the Central powers they might have been able to stay neutral if the Allies took no notice.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:37:06 am

Why would it have been a horrible idea?

Daybue H.

3/29/2016 11:31:46 am

It would have been a horrible idea because if they sat back and watch the war happen, then there is a chance that Germany would have won. If that happened then they could maybe be in control of both the Allies and the Central Powers. That would give Germany more power which would make them more successful than all the other nations.

Paul E.

3/29/2016 11:41:07 am

I don't think you put your opinion like if you think America should have went to war or not.

Olivia F.

3/28/2016 04:22:40 pm

The reasons for the war were nationalism, militarism, imperialism and alliances. Militarism revolved around competition, a race for naval dominance. If one country builds up their navy, another would build up theirs. For example, Germany built up its navy. Britain responded by adding more ships to its fleet. Many countries did this so other countries would be afraid of them. This strained relations between Britain and Germany. When countries formed secret alliances, countries obligated to protect each other or offer aid or assistance if attacked. If some countries formed an alliance, others will form another one. Germany organized the Triple Alliance with Austria Hungary and Italy.Then France linked itself to Russia and Britain in the Triple Entente. A crisis involving one member of an alliance also affected that nation’s allies. This meant that a minor incident could spark a major war. Imperialism was the overarching reason. Countries wanted land, which created competition, so other countries couldn’t have it. Between 1870 and 1914, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia, scrambled for colonies in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. When countries fought for the same land, this can create feelings of resentment. For example, in 1870 France and Germany went to war, and France lost the war and Alsace-Lorraine. France hoped to regain its lost territory. Many colonial powers were nationalists. They believed that people with a common language and culture, should throw off foreign rule and form their own countries. Nationalism creates a feeling of blind arrogance that can lead to war. This also spreads like an infection, according to Einstein, that can lead to unrighteous decisions that can lead to war, which leads to the death of many.

The events that led to the U.S. joining the war in 1917, were the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany’s abandonment to the Sussex Pledge, the Zimmerman telegram, and the revolution in Russia. On May 7, 1915, German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship off the coast of Ireland. Nearly 1,200 people died, including 128 Americans. In early 1917, German submarines sank several American merchant ships, which meant that they abandoned the Sussex Pledge. The Zimmerman telegram instructed a German minister in Mexico to urge Mexico to attack America if the U.S. declared war on Germany. In return, Mexico would receive what was lost: the Mexican Cession. A revolution in Russia drove Czar Nicholas Ⅱ from power. Without the czar, it would be easier to support the Allied cause. Russian can create a democracy that Wilson can get behind to get support of Americans and Congress.

Knowing this, I do think the U.S. should have been involved in the war. All of these events have caused the relations between Germany and America to worsen, giving a hint that something will occur. It also seemed that Germany is reeling America into the war. They are hoping by torpedoing American merchant ships and threatening America's allies, they can pull America into the war. Even though I don't believe that war is a good thing, I knew somehow the U.S. would get involved. Plus, the U.S. is sort of the supplier to both the Allied and Central Powers, so with their new resources and supplies, they have an advantage to the war. An alternative to the war would be some sort of compromise or agreement, even though I don't think one could be created based off Germany's actions.

Alani R.

3/28/2016 08:14:58 pm

You did a great job. You supported your position with strong points and many points. I also agree with your position.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:40:29 am

You really believe that Germany actually was attempting to bait the U.S. into war??? I disagree with that.. Their actions were bold, but why do you think they'd act so brazenly?

Olivia F.

3/29/2016 01:47:20 pm

According to American Nations, on page 692, it says "German leaders knew that renewed U-boats would probably bring the United States into the war." After President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, and the Zimmerman telegram, Germany continued to sink American merchant ships. So, that is why I believe that Germany is reeling America into the war, knowing that the sinking of the Lusitania and their abandonment to the Sussex Pledge angered the United States. I also think that Germany believes they can defeat the Allies if the U.S. joins because then America's allies will be left vulnerable because they will be full of joy that a powerful country is on their side. Though, German leaders hope that they can finish off the Allies before American troops reach Europe. Germany knows that the sinking of their ships angers the U.S. so they continued their submarine warfare.

The U.S. would probably have no choice but to enter the war. Their position of neutrality never lasted, not just because they eventually got involved, but the disproportionate trade they did, showed that they weren't completely neutral. So, Americans could question President Wilson and his position on the war. Germany continued their sinking of American ships because they knew America will eventually do something about it. Thinking about it more, made me realize that they were probably no alternatives because of the events that happened and the alliances that were made. President Wilson has already attempted to reach peace, but his efforts failed. His final plea of peace eventually turned to anger, especially when the Zimmerman telegram was intercepted. That is why I don't think that they are any alternatives.

Willa G.

3/28/2016 05:25:11 pm

I think that it was necessary for the US to become involved in the Great War. The original problem was with the German U-Boats. These boats torpedoed neutral ships to keep them away from Britain. They did not give any warning before hand. After the bombing of the Lusitania with 128 Americans on it, the Germans accepted the Sussex Pledge which said they had to surface and give a warning before attacks. Shortly after this, Germany renewed submarine warfare. They also sent the Zimmermann telegram which told the German minister to tell Mexico to attack America if America declared war on Germany. All of this proved that Germany felt threatened by America. There was no telling what Germany would have done to keep America out of Britain or from attacking Germany if America had not declared war. Obviously America's real beef was with Germany, but here again is the problem of alliances. Germany had a lot of backup. If America would have just declared war on Germany without any backup, they would have lost. Declaring war on Germany meant picking a fight with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire as well. America needed to join a side to be able to win and the side they were going to pick was the one opposing Germany. Though Germany was the real enemy in this situation, with all the alliances going on this had to involve Germany, America, Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, and many others. In order to fight one country --which I believe it was necessary to fight -- America had to become involved in the whole thing.

Melissa E.

3/28/2016 06:32:39 pm

Even though I had sided with the U.S. not needing to join the war, after reading your reasonings, I've become slightly convinced. You had really good reasons and a really well said response!

Xzayah B.

3/28/2016 08:46:36 pm

I completely agree. Good job Willa!

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 08:43:36 am

True indeed, Willa... The entanglements of alliances were very real ...

Anthony R

3/28/2016 06:02:37 pm

I believe that the USA had to join the war because of many reasons. This is because of the many things that were occurring and would affect them. Before the USA joined the war they were a neutral country and were getting trade from all parties. They didn't have any problems with other countries but things changed. A reason they joined the war was because of the attacks on their submarines by Germany. They kept attacking and the U.S were not going to allow this. They joined the war because they didn't want more deaths and wanted to put a stop to innocent deaths. Another reason that I believed they joined the war for was for resources they could get from the other countries.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 09:00:52 am

If you believe that it was resources the U.S. were out for, are you suggesting that they had ulterior motives and plans to go to war all along?

Melissa E.

3/28/2016 06:27:48 pm

The events that led up to the U.S. joining the war in 1917 had to do with Germany and their U-boats. Firstly, on May 7, 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship off the coast of Ireland. Nearly, 1,200 people died, including 128 Americans. The outraged Wilson threatened to break off diplomatic relations if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships. Germany agreed to to the Sussex Pledge that would restrict its submarine campaign. Then, in early 1917, German submarines sank several American merchant ships. This would mean that Germany would be abandoning the Sussex Pledge. This caused even more tensions and drive the U.S. closer to joining the war. A few weeks later, the U.S. discovered that Germany’s foreign secretary sent a telegraph to the German minister in Mexico instructing for them to attack the U.S. if they declared war on Germany. The final event that drove the U.S. to join the war was a revolution in Russia. This revolution drove Czar Nicholas II from power. Without the czar, it would be easier for Wilson to support the Allies. The U.S. couldn’t persuade Congress to declare war because Russia had ran on a dictatorship before the overthrow.

Based on all of the events that led up to the U.S. joining the war, the U.S. should not have entered the war because it would have been more effective to stay on their side of neutrality and isolationism. The U.S. seemed to only have tensions occurring between them and Germany. It is true that Germany caused many problems for the U.S. like sinking their merchant ships, but that is not a strong enough reason to join a world war if one country is causing the trouble. Wilson should have been more considerate about those in the U.S. that sided with the Central Powers and even those that did not want war at all, like the Pacifists. Instead of immediately diving into the temptations of war because one country set him off, Wilson should have attempted to negotiate a little bit more and see if there were other ways of bringing peace while still holding a neutral side.

Grace

3/28/2016 06:33:49 pm

I think that you have a really made a good point here. I thought that because of America's problems with Germany they should have entered the war, but I like your point that Germany is one country and not the whole Central Powers.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 09:06:19 am

I think that after the sinking or the Lusitania, America tried to negotiate. The negotiations were broken. More U.S. ships were threatened and attacked. The Zimmerman plot threatened U.S. lives and territory... In you opinion, when would war been necessary after Wilson seemingly was trying to avoid conflict?

Melissa E.

3/29/2016 04:22:38 pm

In my opinion, war would have been necessary if many of the other countries (besides Germany) were to begin causing trouble for the U.S. As stated in my response above, it was not a strong enough reason for the U.S. to join a world war if only one country was causing the trouble. Germany is one country. Though they did manage to kill 128 American lives on the Lusitania and threaten to take more American lives, the U.S. would have been able to handle settling things with Germany. With the U.S.’ armed forces and government, they surely would have been able to do so without dragging the whole country into the world war. If many other countries began to go against the U.S. like Germany had, then that would be a reasonable time to join the war.

Jesse L.

3/28/2016 06:31:31 pm

I do think that the U.S. had to get involved in the war. Germany attacked neutral ships that entered or left British ports and Germany sunk an American ship called the Lusitania. After this, President Wilson made a pledge with Germany called the Sussex Pledge. The Sussex pledge required German U-Boats to surface and give warning to neutral ships that they were there so then the neutral ships could get out of their way and avoid more American deaths. But then in January 1917, Germany warned neutral countries that they would begin to sink any ships including neutral ships, in February 1917. Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany in protest. Germany also provoked the U.S. and forced them a little bit more into joining the war when they sent the Zimmerman telegram. The Zimmerman telegram was a secret telegram sent to the German Minister in Mexico. The telegram instructed the minister to urge Mexico to attack the U.S. if the United States declared war on Germany. Germany in return would help Mexico regain their lost territory in the American southwest. In 1917, Germany sunk some merchant ships that belonged to America and that made America even more enraged and they eventually declared war April 6, 1917. Knowing all this I think the U.S. had no choice but to get involved in the war. The U.S. would have continued to lose innocent lives to German U-Boat attacks, and if they withdrew all the ships from the British ports, the trade with Britain would have been affected greatly. I don’t think there were any alternatives because if they decided to declare war against just Germany, Central powers would surely have gotten involved so the U.S. just had to join the war instead so that they could fight Germany.

Renina W

3/28/2016 07:02:34 pm

I believe the U.S. needed to get involved in the war because as stated in The American Nation (pg:693) Wilson said the world must be safe for democracy, but before the U.S. even decided to be involved a series of events made it necessary. German sank the Lusitania which was British ship that killed many people Americans included...so of course Wilson was furious and would break off any diplomatic relations with Germany if they did not top sinking ships with Americans on them . Germany was not ready to strengthen the allies by drawing the U.S. to was, so the two countries made an agreement, the Sussex Pledge. This basically kept the U.S. out of war a little longer, but then two years later Germany sunk any U-boats from neutral nations nearing Britain, and the U.S. was a neutral nation. After February a German Minister then introduced the Zimmerman Telegram, and sunk many American merchant ships. So, I think they possibly could have gone about it a different way but how? Clearly just having agreements was not ending confliction, so this is why I think it was necessary.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 09:33:05 am

So if the U.S. chose not to get involved, what could that have meant for American lives and/or territory???

Shadrach Walker

3/29/2016 11:28:14 am

Great detail, you went very far in your explanation. However you only gave one reason there were multiple reasons, like France and England joined the war, and Russia over through their Czar.

Gianna G.

3/28/2016 07:45:52 pm

There were many reasons for the United States joining the Great War. The first reason that the United States. The first reason for the United States joining the war was because of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship. Before the ship was torpedoed, Germany warned the United States and other nations to keep their ships pot of the blockade zone. Wilson said that he’d hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused and loss of American life or property. On May 17, 1915, the ship was torpedoed and 128 Americans died. Wilson was furious that this happened and threatened to break off diplomatic relations. Germany agreed to restrict its submarine campaign and, before attacking any ship, would surface and give warning. This agreement was called the Sussex Pledge. The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany to protest the act of their U-boats sinking any ship nearing Britain. A few weeks after that, Wilson discovered the Arthur Zimmermann, Germany’s foreign secretary, had sent a secret note to the German minister in Mexico. The note told the minister to urge Mexico to attack the United States if the U.S. declared war on Germany. This acts was called the Zimmermann Plot. Early in 1917, German submarines sank several American merchant ships. In March 1917, riots protested the shortage of food, which turned into a revolution. The revolution forced the czar to step down. President Wilson welcomed the the Russian Revolution and without the czar, it would be easier for Wilson to support the Allied cause. On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

I do not believe that the United States should have joined the Great War because of these reasons. In my opinion, the U.S. would have been better off staying neutral in the war. The events that led up to the U.S. joining the war did not involve them having conflict with every other country that got involved in the war. The only really conflict tag the U.S. had with any other country was Germany, so it doesn't make sense that the U.S. would go to a war with many other countries just based off its conflict with one of them. It not very wise of the U.S. to join a world war based off of problems with one other country. Another reason that the U.S. didn't have to join the war is that not everyone wanted the war to happen. Wilson seemed to focus on the problems with Germany and that was all. Joining the Great War was not necessary and, if anything, would only result in conflict with more countries. That is why the United States did not have to join the Great War.

Alani R.

3/28/2016 08:05:26 pm

The reasons for the U.S. joining WWI in 1917 were the tensions between the U.S. and Germany and the revolution in Russia. The first event that caused tension between the U.S. and Germany was the sinking of Lusitania. On May 7, 1915, a German submarine torpedoed Lusitania, a British passenger ship that was off the coast of Ireland. This resulted in 1,200 deaths, including 128 Americans. Wilson became furious and threatened to break off diplomatic relations if Germany did not stop attacking and sinking their passenger ships. The U.S. and Germany compromised, and Germany agreed to the Sussex Pledge. Germany had agreed to not sink ships without warning them. Germany then abandoned the Sussex Pledge and broke their promise by sinking more American merchant ships. Later on, the U.S. discovered that a foreign secretary from Germany sent a telegram to the German minister in Mexico ordering them to attack the U.S. if they declared a war on Germany. In return, Germany would help Mexico regain the territory they had lost to America. Finally, the event that convinced the U.S. to join the war was the revolution in Russia. This revolution stripped Czar Nicholas II of his power. Without the czar, it was easier for Wilson to support the Allies.

The U.S. should have joined the war because Germany only worsened their relationship with the U.S., they needed to defend themselves, and they needed to prove to others that they had power. Not only did Germany continue to build up tension between them, but they also created plans to attack them. An example of this is the Zimmerman telegram. Germany also kept disobeying America, this would aggravate and tempt them to join the war. If they showed other nations that they were weak, they would try and take over.

tiffanie

3/28/2016 09:38:11 pm

I like how it is very detailed and i like how u have lots of dates and facts. Overall, very good!

Justin E

3/28/2016 08:10:13 pm

I believe that the United States should not have joined the war and they should have stayed neutral. They wasted many resources and killed many people for no reason. The U.S. should have just cut off all ties with Germany and just maintain peace. U.S. did not need to go into war. Germany would have probably lost the war if the U.S. did not give them resources.

Hugo G.

3/28/2016 08:26:07 pm

I believe that the U.S. needed to get involved with the war because one of the central powers, Germany, was shooting down trade ships and even sunk the Louisitania which caused an uproar because Wilson said he would hold Germany responsible for the loss of american lives and property. Germany then decided to agree to the Sussex Pledge which meant that the German submarines had to surface and warn the ships passing by to not get in their way but instead Germany kept blowing up ships and on top of that, Germany sent a telegram to Mexico that the U.S. intercepted saying that if the U.S. did not join Germany as an ally then Germany would help take back Mexico's land that the U.S. took away in the Mexican Cession. This is why I believe U.S. needed to join the war.

Kayla

3/28/2016 08:28:37 pm

1. In 1916 President Wilson was reelected for being known as war manager.
2. January 1917 Germany warned many nations that after February 1, 1917 U-boats would have orders to sign any ships around Britain. Germany knew the United States would suffer from the attack.
3. Wilson then heard of the Zimmerman telegraph. At the time Germany's foreign secretary sent a secret note to a German minister in Mexico, to attack the United States from Mexico.
4. On April 2nd 1917 Wilson went to congress to ask for a declaration of war. Congress voted for war 455 to 56. On April 6th Wilson signed the declaration of war.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 11:26:38 am

What is this?!?!

Anthony R

3/29/2016 01:32:49 pm

what are you talking about

Xzayah B.

3/28/2016 08:44:53 pm

One event that lead to the U.S. joining the war was that Germany warned its neutral nations that after February 1, 1917 its U-boats would have orders to sink any ships nearing Britain. They sunk Lusitania which carried American passengers. Also, the German minister in Mexico was instructed to tell Mexico to attack the United States if they declared war on Germany. Another event was that the Germans sank many of the United States merchant ships. Lastly, a revolution in Russia drove czar Nicholas Ⅱ from power. I think it was a good thing that the U.S got involved in the war. Germany kept threatening the United States, so they had to fight back to stop Germany from doing anymore damage.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 11:30:13 am

And if they didn't join? What may have happened to the Americas?

Xzayah Bjorklund

3/29/2016 11:49:47 am

If they didn't get involved in the war then more Americans might have died. Germany would probably still be bombing the American U-boats.

Mathieu M.

3/28/2016 08:50:07 pm

I think America should’ve joined in on the war because of everything that had happened. Before joining America was neutral. This meant that they were trading with both sides.One reason the joined was because Germany bombed one of their submarines named the Lusitania. Wilson was furious and made Germany swear that they wouldn’t do this again. This was called the Sussex Pledge. This basically said they need to warn the ship before using the torpedoes. But this didn’t work because Germany went ahead sunk some American merchant ships. America also found out Germany had sent a telegram to Mexico telling them to attack the U.S. if they declared war on Germany. This was known as the Zimmerman Telegram. All these actions pushed America closer and closer to fighting until they did. I feel as though America did need to fight in this war because they had no other way of protecting themselves. They tried to peacefully tell Germany to stop but that didn’t work. America had no choice but to join the Allies.

Shadrach Walker

3/29/2016 11:31:57 am

Good job!

Raymond D.

3/28/2016 09:14:32 pm

I honestly don’t think that U.S had to get involved the could’ve have just stayed calm and not end up killing a lot of people. They could have just done these alternatives and traded with the sides that you supported and not kill anyone. If the U.S just cut off the ties with Germany and central powers, it would have caused much less trouble and trade with the allies. The U.S got Russia to get rid of their czar, so they had no person that ruled with absolute power, they could have supported Russia in another way. Lastly, the Zimmerman telegram wouldn’t have affected the U.S if they didn’t get involved in the war.

Shad Walker

3/29/2016 11:30:30 am

I think you did this wrong but, nice job.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 11:34:48 am

The U.S. trading with the side they supported is not being neutral is it??? How would the Zimmerman telegram not have had an effect? It was an act of terror and a threat against the U.S....
How would the U.S. be perceived in the future if they allowed Germany to make threats against them?

Niamiah J.

3/28/2016 09:23:09 pm

I believe that the United States did not have to get involved in the Great war. By going against their belief of neutrality I have reason to believe that they have created tensions between various nations and danger to America.

One event that resulted in the U.S getting involved with the Great war was the attack on the Lusitania. President Woodrow Wilson vowed to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of American lives or property. Germany ignored that agreement and on May 7, 1915 when a German Submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship off the coast of Ireland. German U-boats also attacked neutral ships which raised protests. Meanwhile, Arthur Zimmermann, Germany’s foreign secretary sent a secret message to Mexico to attack the Mexican Cession. If Mexico contributed, Germany would help Mexico regain the Mexican cession. Not only that but the United States formed an alliance with Russia.

I believe that instead of getting into international affairs, the United states should have remained neutral and isolated. That means not trading with nations that are apart of the world, until the war is over. That also means avoiding other countries until after the dispute. By doing that Americans will be safe and money will not be wasted. Why waste money and lives on a war that wasn’t even theirs to begin with?

Raymond D.

3/29/2016 11:30:04 am

I totally agree with your response. I love how well laid out your response is, you can tell you put a lot of thought into it.

Wolfgang C.

3/29/2016 11:40:45 am

I completely agree. Completely cutting off trade was an alternative I did not think of, but it is very smart.

Tiffanie

3/28/2016 09:36:09 pm

The reasons that the U.S fought in the Great War because at first the U.S was minding their business but then Germany sunk the Lusitania which not only carried german passengers but also carried american passengers. This got the U.S was really mad so they made a Sussex Pledge. Germany violated the Sussex Pledge and sunk a U.S merchant ships. Then Germany secretly made a deal with Mexico that stated if there is ever a war between Germany and america, that mexico would side with German and in exchange Germany would help them get Southern America back or The Mexican Section back for mexico. Lastly the U.S saw that the Russians took czar out of power and then the revolutionaries made the land a democratic state. This made the U.S very happy and so they made allies with them. These were the events that lead to the war of 1917.

Wolfgang C.

3/29/2016 11:37:38 am

I can not tell what side you are taking with this response.

Makayla R.

3/28/2016 10:42:28 pm

The United States got involved in World War I for several reasons. One of the main events that led the US joining the world happened in February of 1917. Woodrow Wilson issued what proved to be his final plea for peace. In a desperate effort to break the Allied blockade, Germany had decided to renew submarine warfare. Going against the Sussex Pledge, Germany warned neutral nations that after after February 1, 1917, its U-boats would have orders to sink any ship near Britain. Germany leaders knew that renewed U-boats would have orders to sink renewed U-boat attacks would probably get the US involved in war. Along with Germany's attempt to get the US involved in the war, the Zimmerman telegraph also brought the US one step closer to war. In February, President Wilson learned that Germany's foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, had sent a secret note to the German minister in Mexico. The Zimmerman telegram instructed the minister to urge Mexico to attack the US if the US declared war on Germany. In return, Germany would help Mexico in back its lost provinces in the American Southwest, which would include all of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Another event that caused the US to be one step closer to war was when German submarines sank several American merchant ships. Also, when the war in Europe began in 1914 Russian united behind the emperor of Russia. However, as the war brought heavy losses at the front and economic hardship at home, discontent resurfaced. In March 1917, they turned into a revolution. Revolutionaries then set up the Provisional Government and called for democratic reforms. President Wilson then welcomed the Russian Revolution because he was a firm believer in democracy. Finally, President Wilson signed the declaration of war on April 6, 1917. However, I don't believe that it was necessary for the US to get involved with the Great War. I think that they shouldn't have taken sides and remained neutral during the whole thing. Going against their idea of isolationism is what lured them closer and closer into the mess of things.

Mr. Husband

3/29/2016 11:37:50 am

But they did take sides... Too late for that. Can't play the game of "what ifs"

Given what did happen, should the U.S. have gone to war?

Adrian F.

3/28/2016 11:24:16 pm

I don't think that the U.S. had to get involved into the war. But I don't think there was a way to avoid it. Germany kept attacking their ships when they didn't need to, even when Germany agreed to end the bombings. They continued, so it was almost forced upon the U.S. to act. But I still believe that they should not have joined the Great War. It broke their neutral policy, and the U.S. only had a problem with Germany. Not with any other country. Another option could just be to try to trade with the side you supported. Or to actually remain really neutral, and not trade at all with anyone. It would have been easier to not be involved at all. It would be easier to trade with one side and favor one side, rather than join the Great War altogether and lose many lives for nonsense.

Ronald W.

3/29/2016 11:48:43 am

I respectfully disagree but good job

Dante D.

3/29/2016 11:57:13 am

I feel the same way, the U.S. could have remained neutral to keep minimum conflict in order. I do also feel that they were heavily persuaded to join because of the continuations of this violence.

Dante D.

3/28/2016 11:25:17 pm

America did not have to get involved in the war by any means. Their claimed neutrality was broken and they eventually joined the Allies. They traded with the Allies more than with the Central Powers, which jump started the breaking of their neutrality. It did in fact break the neutrality. The United States could have traded equally with both sides to keep this neutrality instead of breaking it. In 1917, the British Passenger ship called the Lusitania was torpedoed by German submarine, killing as many as 128 Americans and of course, Wilson took offense to this. He threatened to cut off diplomatic ties with Germany and thus, the Sussex Pledge created by the Germans was born. Stated that and German ships/subs had to surface and announce warning before attacking ships. The pledge was violated by Germany and of course Woodrow Wilson did not take this lightly. But, of course, if Wilson and the rest of the warmongering Americans who existed had been able to calm down and ponder if it was worth going to war over, maybe we could have avoided conflict. If Wilson had had the sense to be able to do absolutely nothing, America would not have to be dragged into this large, full scale, across the globe war. Next, Arthur Zimmerman. Germany’s foreign secretary sent a message to the German minister in Mexico, saying that if Mexico had decided to attack the U.S., Germany would, in turn, aid Mexico in winning back the territory lost to America in the Mexican Cession. Although, this would most likely not have happened at all of the U.S. had not reacted to the breaking of the treaty prior to this incident. Again, it's a matter of thinking ahead. Like chess. Well, not exactly like chess but you know what I mean. Here’s when I attempt to make a chess comparison. Someone takes your pawn. In return to try and even the playing field, you take out their pawn in the middle of the board and you don't pay attention to the surroundings or consequences of what might happen if you take this specific piece. Something an amateur chess player would do. In doing so, you think you can win the game now. You think nothing has changed. But wait. Your opponent, suddenly takes out your queen. How? How did they do this? By moving your pawn to take the bait piece, you’ve left your defense wide open. If you had ignored this trap when your opponent had taken your pawn, then they wouldn't have taken your queen. Now, the last reason the U.S. had joined was because Russia’s “government” had shifted from a dictatorship to a democracy of some sort. This really does not play a huge role in deciding to join the war or not because if the U.S. had decided against war, this wouldn't even be a valid point to join if they were trying to prevent joining. Unfortunately they were not against joining. An easy alternative was to simply stay neutral. Simple. Not get aggravated by the Lusitania and breaking of the pledge, to have a cooled head and chill for a minute. To think about what would happen if we engaged in total war versus staying out of it. When we had joined, we forced the entire nation to become involved. More people died fighting and more people probably suffered from saving food and making/farming/engineering resources to use in this war rather than if we had just stayed neutral and hadn’t got involved.

Justin

3/29/2016 01:38:14 pm

I agree

Kayla

3/29/2016 11:41:25 am

I think the United States should have only joined the war in an attempt to end it and not fight. Staying neutral would have allowed the country to save money, time and people. However I do not know what the country thought they were going to get from the war. There are many reasons to join a war, especially if you are a country of power. If America joined the war it could have potentially taken over some countries, or gotten things from them almost in the way that France had to give something to Germany after they lost to them. Maybe the United States thought they were protecting themselves by taking a side instead of joining the war. In the long run if America didn't take a side and traded with countries not involved in the war or with their allies, if something happen to those countries it could affect America in a big way. However once the United States got involved in the war it was hard for them to remove themselves from the conflict. For instance the Zimmermann telegraph put United States in a very tight corner. If the U.S. declared war on Germany, they would be attacked. Getting involved in the war would also put Americans at risk, by forcing them to either join the Army or buy liberty bonds or save food. In conclusion I think the United States was not needed and it could have been avoided if the time was taken to really think about all that happen.

Ronald W.

3/29/2016 11:53:38 am

I agree with some of your points, much improvement from your other response

Alaijah P.

3/29/2016 01:55:27 pm

I believe the U.S did need to join the war. The reason for this was the acts of aggression they had taken from other countries. Germany had blown up the submarine the Louisitania, and after this had happened, the U.S signed a neutrality treaty with Germany called the Sussex Pledge, meaning they would warn merchant ships before blowing them up. Although after the Sussex pledge had happened, Germany still had went a blown up more American merchant ships. These types of actions had led america closer and closer to war. America had also intercepted a telegram from Germany to Mexico telling them to attack America if America had declared war against Germany. This was known as the Zimmerman Telegram. After this had happened, and after these actions had already taken place, America had no choice but to join the allies and join the war. America had taken the necessary actions, they try to tell Germany peacefully to stop, yet Germany still did not stop. Germany gave america no choice but to join the war.

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