Historical Context When the Great War broke out in the summer of 1914, Americans were shocked at the barbarism of modern warfare. They were thankful for the Atlantic Ocean which separated our country from the warring nations of Europe. People were determined to keep out of the conflict and applauded President Wilson when he asked that his fellow citizens remain “neutral in fact as well as in name.”

Historical Context Through the following months, while national resolve to remain neutral stayed strong, many Americans began to choose sides. This was almost inevitable. Most Americans could trace family roots to England, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, or other countries or regions then engulfed by war. In fact, many were themselves immigrants or the children of immigrants from one of the nations at war. It was only natural that they still had emotional ties to their homelands.

Historical Context Many people, shocked and appalled by Germany’s brutal invasion of Belgium in the opening weeks of the war, were firm opponents of the Germans. Many others aligned their sympathies with France, remembering that the French had aided us in our war of independence. As American shipping and trade began to be blocked by England and Germany, patriotic anger rose. But still, even after German submarine sank the British liner Lusitania in May 1915, killing over 100 Americans, public opinion still opposed American involvement in the war. In November 1916, American determination to stay out of the war expressed itself in reelecting President Wilson whose campaign slogan was “He kept us out of War.”

Historical Context Nonetheless, April 2, 1917 found President Wilson standing before a joint session of Congress asking that war be declared against Germany. “ I advise that the Congress declare the recent course of the Imperial German government to be, in fact, nothing less than war against the government and people of the United States.” Two days later, the Senate voted 82 to 6 for war. Then, on April 6, the House of 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 1 According to William Jennings Bryan, why shouldn’t we loan money to any of the nations at war? -Secretary of State Bryan was warning President Wilson against allowing American banks to loan money to any of the countries at war. He was worried that if American financial interests became “allied “ with one of these countries, they would use their influence to support that country’s war policies in order to ensure repayment of the loans. Bryan, and many others, feared that “economic ties” to England and France might eventually lead the United States into war to protect the loans and other economic interests.

DBQ: World War I Document 2 How does above graph support Bryan’s fear? -This graph supports Bryan’s fear. Between 1914 and 1917 American trade and economic links with Britain and France rose tremendously, while trade with Germany fell to virtually nothing. This graph seems to echo Bryan’s implied question: Will American investment in the allied nations lead us into war on their side?

DBQ: World War I Document 3 According to Lenin, why did the U.S. enter World War I? -This 1918 communication by Lenin lends additional credence to the idea that American banks and other financial interests drew the United States into the war to protect their money and enrich American millionaires (It is good to note how this argument reflects a Marxist viewpoint and justifies Bolshevik Russia’s decision to drop out of the war.)

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 5 According to President Wilson’s war message, what was the primary cause of war? -In this excerpt from President Wilson’s war message, he pointed to Germany’s declaration of submarine warfare as the primary 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 7 According to Ernest R. May, why did the U.S. enter WWI? -Historian Ernest May believed that Wilson was a sincere pacifist whose patience finally ended with Germany’s declaration of submarine warfare and with the inevitability of growing public support for war as American merchant ships were sunk by German U-boats. The unanimity of Wilson’s cabinet was a further sign to the president that there was no other choice but war.

DBQ: World War I