Question

America was initially neutral about conflicts in Europe. Describe at least 2 events that made our policy change and brought the U.S. into World War One. Remember that all responses must be answered with a minimum of 3 sentences. in your own words

Answer 1

At the start of the war the United States tried to stay neutral, but German U-boat attacks on civilian and merchant ships made neutrality harder to keep. A famous example is the sinking of the British passenger ship RMS Lusitania in 1915, which killed many civilians including Americans and stirred public outrage. When Germany later resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1917, American ships and cargo were sunk with little warning, pushing the U.S. closer to war.

A second decisive event was the Zimmermann Telegram in January 1917, a secret message in which Germany urged Mexico to attack the United States if America entered the war, promising to help Mexico recover lost territories. British intelligence intercepted and revealed the telegram to the U.S., and the idea of Germany encouraging an attack on American soil alarmed both the public and policymakers. Combined with the submarine campaign, the Zimmermann Telegram convinced President Wilson and Congress that neutrality was no longer safe, and the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917.