Historical Context

When the Great War broke out in thesummer of 1914, Americans were shocked at thebarbarism of modern warfare. They were thankfulfor the Atlantic Ocean which separated our countryfrom the warring nations of Europe. People weredetermined to keep out of the conflict andapplauded President Wilson when he asked thathis fellow citizens remain “neutral in fact as well asin name.”

Historical Context

Through the following months, while nationalresolve to remain neutral stayed strong, manyAmericans began to choose sides. This was almostinevitable. Most Americans could trace family rootsto England, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, orother countries or regions then engulfed by war. Infact, many were themselves immigrants or thechildren of immigrants from one of the nations atwar. It was only natural that they still hademotional ties to their homelands.

Historical Context

Many people, shocked and appalled by Germany’s brutalinvasion of Belgium in the opening weeks of the war, werefirm opponents of the Germans. Many others aligned theirsympathies with France, remembering that the French hadaided us in our war of independence. As American shippingand trade began to be blocked by England and Germany,patriotic anger rose. But still, even after German submarinesank the British liner Lusitania in May 1915, killing over 100Americans, public opinion still opposed Americaninvolvement in the war. In November 1916, Americandetermination to stay out of the war expressed itself inreelecting President Wilson whose campaign slogan was“He kept us out of War.”

Historical Context

Nonetheless, April 2, 1917 found President Wilsonstanding before a joint session of Congress askingthat war be declared against Germany. “ I advisethat the Congress declare the recent course of theImperial German government to be, in fact, nothingless than war against the government and peopleof the United States.” Two days later, the Senatevoted 82 to 6 for war. Then, on April 6, the Houseof Representatives did the same, voting 373 to 50.

Historical Context

What led the United States to abandon its

neutrality and isolation? What led Americans

into World War I?

DBQ: World War I

Aim: Why did the United States abandon its

neutrality , choosing to enter World War I on

the side of the Allies?

DBQ: World War I

Document 1According to William Jennings Bryan, why shouldn’t weloan money to any of the nations at war?-Secretary of State Bryan was warning President Wilsonagainst allowing American banks to loan money to any ofthe countries at war. He was worried that if Americanfinancial interests became “allied “ with one of thesecountries, they would use their influence to support thatcountry’s war policies in order to ensure repayment of theloans. Bryan, and many others, feared that “economic ties”to England and France might eventually lead the UnitedStates into war to protect the loans and other economicinterests.

DBQ: World War I

Document 2How does above graph support Bryan’s fear?-This graph supports Bryan’s fear. Between 1914and 1917 American trade and economic links withBritain and France rose tremendously, while tradewith Germany fell to virtually nothing. This graphseems to echo Bryan’s implied question: WillAmerican investment in the allied nations lead usinto war on their side?

DBQ: World War I

Document 3According to Lenin, why did the U.S. enterWorld War I?

-This 1918 communication by Lenin lends additionalcredence to the idea that American banks and otherfinancial interests drew the United States into the war toprotect their money and enrich American millionaires (It isgood to note how this argument reflects a Marxist viewpointand justifies Bolshevik Russia’s decision to drop out of thewar.)

DBQ: World War I

Document 4

Why did the release of the Zimmermann

Note enrage Americans?

-The release of Zimmermann Note in March

1917 enraged Americans; it convinced many

that war could no longer be avoided, and

that Germany was our enemy.

DBQ: World War I

Document 5According to President Wilson’s warmessage, what was the primary cause ofwar?-In this excerpt from President Wilson’s warmessage, he pointed to Germany’sdeclaration of submarine warfare as theprimary cause of war.

DBQ: World War I

Document 6

Why was Senator George Norris of

Nebraska against voting for war?

-Nebraska Senator George Norris was a

leading isolationist and opponent of war with

Germany. Norris (like the source of

documents 1-3_ saw the influence of big business

and finance behind Wilson’s call for war.

DBQ: World War I

Document 7According to Ernest R. May, why did theU.S. enter WWI?-Historian Ernest May believed that Wilson was asincere pacifist whose patience finally ended withGermany’s declaration of submarine warfare andwith the inevitability of growing public support forwar as American merchant ships were sunk byGerman U-boats. The unanimity of Wilson’s cabinet was afurther sign to the president that there was no other choicebut war.

DBQ: World War I