Why did the United States get involved in WWI?
In 1915 the Lusitania was sunk without a warning, killing over 120 Americans. One year later, the Sussex was sunk by German U-boats and American citizens were outraged at these direct violations of their neutral rights at sea. Foreign Minister Alfred Zimmerman attempted to provoke Mexico and Japan into attacking the United States with the promise of German assistance after the European front was conquered. A message containing Zimmerman’s intent was decoded by the British and sent to the US, further swaying Americans to action. Due primarily to submarine warfare and the Zimmerman note, President Wilson asked Congress for permission to go to war, and on April 6, 1917, congress officially declared it. President Wilson, justified involvement as “an act of high principle and idealism…[and]…as a crusade to make the world safe for democracy.” Most countries exploit real or imagined horrors as justification for declaring war. War is usually a very practical consideration, and idealism onl
