1. Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War Message Power point created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II: Since 1865, Laura A. Belmonte nhs.needham.k12.ma.us

2. When war erupted in Europe during the summer of 1914, few Americans were eager to participate. http://www.flickr.com/photos/65817306@N00/62819212/

3. President Woodrow Wilson declared the United States neutral “in thought as well as in action.” But maintaining neutrality proved quite difficult. http://sky.prohosting.com/tinman4u/interests.htm

4. Powerful cultural and family ties connected many Americans to Great Britain. Tower Bridge in London. http://www.flickr.com/photos/biluu_72/2291537475/

5. Economists and industrialists viewed European trade as the key to boosting a slow economy. http://www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk/Ships1920s/photoindex.htm

6. At the same time, millions of Americans of German or Irish descent felt no affinity (love) for the British. http://www.flickr.com/photos/idswart/138360714/ German Immigrants

7. Pacifists, Progressives, and Socialists opposed war on moral grounds and feared that U.S. entry into the conflict would end social reforms at home. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/esp_sociopol_fed06d.htm Socialist presidential candidate - Eugene Debs

8. Although Americans remained divided in their opinions of the war, the desire for expanded international trade and a bias against the Central Powers soon drew the United States into the conflict. http://www.flickr.com/photos/waterclock/318923102/

9. German U-boat attacks, especially the sinking of the Lusitania with many Americans onboard, generated popular demands for vengeance. http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/history/plan_for_quick_victory.htm

10. At first, the Wilson administration persuaded the Germans to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare against ships traveling to Great Britain. http://www.dutchsubmarines.com/pictures/pictures_m1_1910s_1920s.htm

11. In 1916, Wilson won reelection, vowing to keep America out of the war.

12. Within months, desperation compelled the Germans to resume unrestricted submarine attacks. http://www.gwpda.org/photos/seashipc.htm

13. Convinced that U.S. involvement in the war could ensure a “peace without victory,” Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917. http://www.vw.vccs.edu/vwhansd/HIS122/Lectures2.html

14. “The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a war of all nations. American ships have been sunk.” http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blperiscope.htm

15. “Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion…but only the vindication of right…” http://www.shahbazi.org/pages/bushfamily2.htm

16. “I advise that the Congress… exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the Government of the German Empire to terms and end the war…” http://www.worldwar1.com/tripwire/smtw.htm

17. “Neutrality is no longer feasible… The world must be made safe for democracy.” http://www.militaryspecialtiesinc.com/web/Books/ww1Hist&Memoirs/ArmyBoysOnGermanSoil.htm