What prompted the United States to join the fighting in World War I?

Question

Responses

the assassination of an archduke

the assassination of an archduke

the sinking of American ships in the Pacific

the sinking of American ships in the Pacific

the sinking of American ships in the Atlantic

the sinking of American ships in the Atlantic

an attack on Pearl Harbor

Answer 1

The primary reason that prompted the United States to join the fighting in World War I was the sinking of American ships in the Atlantic. Specifically, the unrestricted submarine warfare conducted by Germany, which resulted in the sinking of civilian and merchant ships, including the British ocean liner Lusitania in 1915, significantly swayed public opinion and pushed the U.S. government toward intervention. In addition, the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany encouraged Mexico to join the war against the U.S., further motivated the decision to enter the conflict.