World War I Historical Background
Pre-War Political Context
Many European political movements in the early twentieth century were based upon mutual alliances, but European political views stemmed from two different trains of thought. Many politicians thought that war had effectively been banished by progress while equally many felt these alliances were simply a precursor to the inevitability of war. In Germany though, this belief went further. In this era of militarism, Germany believed that they were winning the arms race against Russia, their perceived major enemy. And as such, they believed war should happen sooner rather than later while they still had the upper hand over Russia.
What catalyzed the war?
After rising tensions, the catalyst occurred on June 28th 1914, when Austria-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian activist, an ally of Russia. Austria-Hungary asked for German support and was promised a 'blank check'; they declared war on Serbia on July 28th. Then the dominos of mutual defense alliance started falling. Russia mobilized to support Serbia, so Germany declared war on Russia; France then declared war on Germany. As German troops swung through Belgium into France days later, Britain declared war on Germany too. Declarations continued until much of Europe was at war with each other.
American Involvement in WWI
After Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare on passenger and merchant ships in 1917, many in the United States felt that the country could no longer remain neutral. President Wilson had threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Germany in 1916 unless the German Navy ceased these attacks, and for a while the German government did so. By 1917, however, the German government had become desperate to end the war and thus resumed attacking neutral shipping.
Wilson was shocked by the news, and on February 3, 1917 he announced to congress that the United States had severed diplomatic ties with Germany. However, unrestricted submarine attacks were not the only thing Wilson had to worry about. On January 19, 1917, British naval intelligence intercepted a telegram sent by the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to the Mexican government. The “Zimmerman Telegram” promised Mexico that if they supported Germany in the war, Germany would help Mexico reclaim territory lost to the United States in the Mexican American War.
When Wilson received word of the Zimmerman Telegram on February 24, 1917, he did not immediately ask congress for a declaration of war. He waited almost a full month before convening a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility. Finally, on April 2, 1917, Wilson went before congress and asked them to declare war on Germany. On April 6, 1917, congress declared war on Germany and on Austria-Hungary the following day.
Wilson was shocked by the news, and on February 3, 1917 he announced to congress that the United States had severed diplomatic ties with Germany. However, unrestricted submarine attacks were not the only thing Wilson had to worry about. On January 19, 1917, British naval intelligence intercepted a telegram sent by the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to the Mexican government. The “Zimmerman Telegram” promised Mexico that if they supported Germany in the war, Germany would help Mexico reclaim territory lost to the United States in the Mexican American War.
When Wilson received word of the Zimmerman Telegram on February 24, 1917, he did not immediately ask congress for a declaration of war. He waited almost a full month before convening a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility. Finally, on April 2, 1917, Wilson went before congress and asked them to declare war on Germany. On April 6, 1917, congress declared war on Germany and on Austria-Hungary the following day.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
U.S. Entered World War I. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2014, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_wwi_1.html
Wilde, R. (n.d.). A Beginner's Guide to World War I. Retrieved December 6, 2014, from
http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/worldwar1/p/ww1101.htm
U.S. Entered World War I. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2014, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_wwi_1.html
Wilde, R. (n.d.). A Beginner's Guide to World War I. Retrieved December 6, 2014, from
http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/worldwar1/p/ww1101.htm