World War I
It is hard to point out one specific incident that led to World War I but rather it was a culmination of many different events that led to the most catastrophic war of its time. The United States pledged to stay neutral during the war but with great economic investments with the allies the United States found itself involved in exporting billions of dollars worth of provisions to England and France. President Wilson devised a foreign policy to protect America but he could not keep the United States out of the war. By the time the United States entered the war Wilson was already working on his Fourteen Points and League of Nations policies. The events that led to World War I are complex. The origins of the war are still controversial. Germans desire for greater power and influence led to an arms race with Britain. Britain responded by building a more powerful navy. Germany was looking for overseas colonies, which led to clashing with both Britain and France. The Austria-Hungarian Empire had problems with the Balkans especially Serbia. On June 28, 1914 the tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia came to a head when a Slavic terrorist group assassinated the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferd
The method in which the colonies were divided went against Wilson's Fourteen Points Policy. In article five Wilson calls for an impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, and that it be based upon the good of the population. The United States also wanted limited demands on Germany. Wilson feared if the Germans were treated too harshly it would lead to Germany seeking revenge with a second world war. But France wanted to cripple Germany and pushed for large amounts of reparations. The conference issued a clause that stated Germany was responsible for all the damages of war and would have to pay. Wilson gave in to this clause also. Germany was issued with a reparations bill of thirty-three million dollars in 1921. Many thought that President Wilson gave in to easily. But his argument for passing the reparations bill was that he thought the League would not let it pass. Once the United States entered the war Germany made one last offensive push to end the war before the U.S. could mobilize. In March the Germans attacked the Russian front and forced the allied troops to retreat. Between May and September more than one million American troops were sent to France. Austria-Hungary surrendered on October 3 and the Germans had no choice but to ask for an armistice on October 4. Plans for a peace conference were made soon after. Britain with its overwhelming warships blockaded the North Sea and forced any American ships to port for assessment of their cargo. They seized any contraband before it made it to Germany's neighbors, Denmark and Holland. In retaliation Germany began U-boat and submarine warfare, which would set the scene for America entering the war. The Zimmerman note was a message sent from Germany to foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman proposing an alliance between Mexico and Germany should the United States enter the war. In return for Mexico's help Germany would aid Mexico in reclaiming their territories lost in 1848. President Wilson was informed of the Zimmerman note and on April 4, 1917 he asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The declaration passed the Senate 82 votes to 6. Wilson stated his goals in en
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1443
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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