Why America Joined the Great War - World War I DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This video explores the reasons behind the United States' decision to join World War I in 1917, despite initial opposition from the American public. It discusses key factors, such as economic ties to the Entente powers, German unrestricted submarine warfare, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, and the infamous Zimmermann Telegram. The video also highlights the growing influence of pro-war movements and the shift in public opinion, leading to the U.S. entry into the war. The video is sponsored by Supremacy 1914, an online strategy game set during World War I.

Takeaways

• 🛑 The US initially viewed WWI as a European conflict and remained neutral, with divided opinions among the American public in 1914.
• 💵 The Entente naval blockade restricted trade with the Central Powers, strengthening US financial ties with the Entente, particularly through loans from J.P. Morgan.
• 📈 The US economy, which had been in recession before WWI, began to recover due to increased war material production for the Entente powers.
• ⚓ Germany turned to unrestricted submarine warfare after the Entente blockade, leading to incidents like the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, which killed 128 Americans.
• 📜 The Sussex Pledge temporarily halted Germany’s aggressive submarine tactics, but unrestricted submarine warfare resumed in 1917, pushing the US closer to war.
• 📩 The Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany sought an alliance with Mexico against the US, further fueled American support for entering the war.
• 🔫 The American military preparedness movement gained momentum, with proposals to build up land and naval forces for defensive purposes.
• 🗣 President Wilson’s campaign of neutrality helped him win reelection in 1916, but events like unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram changed public opinion by 1917.
• 🇺🇸 In April 1917, the US declared war on Germany, with Wilson justifying the war as necessary to defend democracy and international law.
• 💰 By the end of WWI, the US had emerged as the world's most important trading nation and creditor, solidifying its role in global finance.

Q & A

Why did the American public initially oppose joining WWI in 1914?

The American public saw WWI as a European conflict that did not concern them. Additionally, the US was made up of immigrants with divided loyalties towards the belligerent nations, making the idea of joining the war unpopular.

What changed between 1914 and 1917 that led to US support for entering WWI?

Several factors contributed to the shift in public opinion, including German unrestricted submarine warfare, the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmermann telegram, and effective British propaganda. These events stirred American sentiment towards joining the war to defend democracy and protect US interests.

How did economic interests influence the US decision to enter the war?

American financial and economic ties with the Entente powers deepened due to the British blockade and subsequent trade shifts. US industries, especially munitions and steel, flourished during the war, and banks like J.P. Morgan heavily financed the Entente, which created a vested interest in their victory.

What was the significance of the British blockade of the Central Powers for the US?

The British blockade severely restricted trade with the Central Powers, forcing American businesses to trade primarily with the Entente. This created stronger economic ties between the US and the Entente, indirectly pushing the US towards supporting their cause.

What impact did the sinking of the Lusitania have on US-German relations?

The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, which killed 128 Americans, outraged the American public and government. While the US did not immediately declare war, it led to negotiations with Germany, resulting in the Sussex Pledge, where Germany agreed to restrict its submarine warfare.

What was the Zimmermann Telegram and how did it affect US public opinion?

The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret German proposal to Mexico, encouraging them to join the war against the US in exchange for territory. Its interception and publication in 1917 outraged the American public, pushing many to support entering the war against Germany.

How did the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany in 1917 influence the US?

Germany's decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare led to the sinking of US ships, killing American citizens. This aggressive move further angered the American public and government, making it one of the key reasons for the US to declare war on Germany.

What role did British propaganda play in shaping American views towards the war?

British propaganda, particularly stories about German atrocities in Belgium, was highly effective in shaping American views. While many of these stories were exaggerated, they succeeded in portraying Germany as brutal and aggressive, swaying American public opinion in favor of the Entente.

What were the key arguments of the military preparedness movement in the US before joining WWI?

The military preparedness movement, backed by figures like Theodore Roosevelt and industrialists, argued that the US military was far smaller and less trained compared to other great powers. They believed it was only a matter of time before the US would have to fight in the war, and advocated for expanding the Navy and Army for defensive purposes.

How did the US government's role in international finance evolve during and after WWI?

By the end of WWI, the US had become the world’s largest wartime creditor, taking on a dominant role in international finance. New York City emerged as a major financial center, rivaling London, and the US government began investing heavily in Latin America, stepping into roles traditionally held by European powers.