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Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War Message. Power point created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II: Since 1865, Laura A. Belmonte. nhs.needham.k12.ma.us. When war erupted in Europe during the summer of 1914, few Americans were eager to participate.
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Woodrow WilsonDeclaration of War Message Power point created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II: Since 1865, Laura A. Belmonte nhs.needham.k12.ma.us
When war erupted in Europe during the summer of 1914, few Americans were eager to participate. http://www.flickr.com/photos/65817306@N00/62819212/
President Woodrow Wilson declared the United States neutral “in thought as well as in action.” But maintaining neutrality proved quite difficult. http://sky.prohosting.com/tinman4u/interests.htm
Powerful cultural and family ties connected many Americans to Great Britain. Tower Bridge in London. http://www.flickr.com/photos/biluu_72/2291537475/
Economists and industrialists viewed European trade as the key to boosting a slow economy. http://www.ampneycrucis.f9.co.uk/Ships1920s/photoindex.htm
At the same time, millions of Americans of German or Irish descent felt no affinity (love) for the British. German Immigrants http://www.flickr.com/photos/idswart/138360714/
Pacifists, Progressives, and Socialists opposed war on moral grounds and feared that U.S. entry into the conflict would end social reforms at home. Socialist presidential candidate - Eugene Debs http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/esp_sociopol_fed06d.htm
Although Americans remained divided in their opinions of the war, the desire for expanded international trade and a bias against the Central Powers soon drew the United States into the conflict. http://www.flickr.com/photos/waterclock/318923102/
German U-boat attacks, especially the sinking of the Lusitania with many Americans onboard, generated popular demands for vengeance. http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/history/plan_for_quick_victory.htm
At first, the Wilson administration persuaded the Germans to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare against ships traveling to Great Britain. http://www.dutchsubmarines.com/pictures/pictures_m1_1910s_1920s.htm
In 1916, Wilson won reelection, vowing to keep America out of the war.
Within months, desperation compelled the Germans to resume unrestricted submarine attacks. http://www.gwpda.org/photos/seashipc.htm
Convinced that U.S. involvement in the war could ensure a “peace without victory,” Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917. http://www.vw.vccs.edu/vwhansd/HIS122/Lectures2.html
“The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a war of all nations. American ships have been sunk.” http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blperiscope.htm
“Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion…but only the vindication of right…” http://www.shahbazi.org/pages/bushfamily2.htm
“I advise that the Congress… exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the Government of the German Empire to terms and end the war…” http://www.worldwar1.com/tripwire/smtw.htm
“Neutrality is no longer feasible… The world must be made safe for democracy.” http://www.militaryspecialtiesinc.com/web/Books/ww1Hist&Memoirs/ArmyBoysOnGermanSoil.htm