Zimmerman promised to help Mexico regain lost territory that the United States took away (all of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico). Unfortunately for Zimmerman, the British intercepted the message and decoded it. Then the British eagerly delivered it to President Wilson. To persuade Congress to give him the power to wage an undeclared naval war and protect American merchant ships against German submarines, Wilson published the Zimmerman note. A wave of anger swept through the United States and the Armed Ship bill was passed.
A desire to protect American citizens was a crucial factor in the US entering the war in 1917. The sinking of the Lusitania by the Germans on a passenger ship was seen as a threat to Americans and created a feeling of hostility against Germans in America as the Germans had clearly killed innocent Americans. It pushed them further towards war in order to make sure their citizens were safe. The Zimmerman telegraph was also very significant. This telegraph which showed a potential alliance about to be formed between Mexico and Germany eventually became the deciding factor that led them to the war.
From Wilson’s War Message, one is able to conclude that the US was prepared to risk our soldier’s lives, spend our government funds, and shed blood in order to protect the rights and freedoms that our country was founded upon. In this case, Wilson is talking about Germany sinking our merchant vessels. Over the course of time, the US has portrayed this message again and again. Two clear examples are our invasion of Japan after their attack on Pearl Harbor and our invasion of Iraq after their attack on the world trade center. In final analysis, I believe that the US is willing to put all it has on the line in order to save its people from
This was somewhat a political decision that the United States needed to make in support of her allies. The U.S needed to prioritize strategy in choosing how they would act after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s military success’s in Europe. The U.S had two options as to how they would proceed with military action. We knew if Russia collapsed that would allow Hitler to then fully focus his attention to defeating the British as well as helping out the Japanese which was a great ally of Hitler. The Japanese military success with the bombing of Pearl Harbor was obviously of great importance to the United States but helping our allies defeat Hitler took precedence after Winston Churchill asked the president Franklin D. Roosevelt for support in defeating Hitler.
tried to remain neutral, their efforts were conceded for the war did not only affect the countries involved in the bloody battles. At the time, Germany was heavy in its usage of submarine warfare, which targeted all merchant ships even from neutral countries. The sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger liner, on May 7th, 1915 enraged Americans as 128 U.S. citizens were killed. American trade rights were also violated when Germany decided to reverse the Sussex pledge. Primarily trading with Britain and France, commercial shipping became difficult if not almost impossible, but likewise setting off a more anti-German feeling whilst improving relations with the Allies.
On April 22, 1913 the Imperial German Embassy sent the United States a telegram warning us to stay away from German waters. “Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or of any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travelers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk” (doc.4). What it’s basically saying is they will destroy any ship with a flag other than the German flag will be destroyed no matter what. The method they were using was Submarine Warfare. The passengers on the ship loved the thrill of the ride.
World War I In 1917 the United Stated had entered World War I on the allied side. American involvement in World War I began because the President and people had been persuaded by plenty of events and pressures that they could not just stand there without taking action. Alongside the fact that the Germans sunk the Lusitania and purposed the Zimmermann Telegram to Mexico to declare war with the United States, public opinion had turned against the Germans and Central Powers. Americans made a major impact in World War I in these specific areas; national economy, public attitudes, and the civili liberties. American particpation had a huge impact on national economy.
Wilson gains the re-election to the presidency in November 1916 and three months later, German submarines begin to sink American merchant ships. Undoubtedly, these and other acts of aggression on by Germany, forced the U.S. to declare the war in April 6 of 1917 arguing before the congress to safeguard the rights and the liberties of all the free towns. The American residents manifested before the governmental decision and around two million men were offered like volunteers to the military service. Finally 3 million people were recruited. (The World Book Encyclopedia,
The founder of this organization is Aaron Zelman. When asked what the purpose of this organization was he proclaims that their main goal is, “ the destruction of the idea that gun control is a socially useful public policy" (Verberg, 1995). This organization has written number books that have re-visited history to prove their point that gun control can lead a country to lose its right and eventually genocide. In “Lethal Laws: Gun Control is the Key to Genocide” Simkin,, Zelman, & Rice (1994) Zelman and his group bring to light the laws in Germany and how they paved the way for Hitler to use gun control for his advantage. Before his rule the previous administration, under Weimar, enacted a strict gun control law in 1928.
In Our Documents by Michael Beschloss President Fraklin Roosevelt applied the right tone and words for his speech to arouse the fighting spirit of the American people in support of the war effort. He mentioned that we were ambushed deliberately with intent of war. He also pointed out that we were purposely deceived by the Japanese. Lastly He ended his speech with the loss of many American lives. The ambush that woke the nation was intent of war.