First World War Research Paper

The First World War was a global war that began in Europe and impacted various nations worldwide. The status of various counties’ involvement in the war changed as it progressed. The United States, being one of these nations, was not originally involved in the war but later joined for various reasons. Although the U-boat campaign of 1917 played a large role in the United States entry into the First World War, other factors, such as German instigation, and economy, influenced President Wilson to enter his nation into the war. In part, Germany’s aggression was responsible for the United States’ entry into the war, by creating tensions with attacks and instigation. Firstly, Germany expressed aggression through their unrestricted submarine warfare
used in 1917. The United States was personally affected by this as three American ships were torpedoed as a result of the U-boat campaign. The deaths of these Americans directly involved the United States and created strained relations between the two nations and essentially forced the United States into the war. The United States had to respond to this malicious action, and was left no other option than to enter into the war, as Germany would only continue its U-boat campaign and potentially kill future innocent Americans. Also, Germany had intentions to involve the United States by using the Zimmermann Telegram. The Zimmermann Telegram was a message from Germany to Mexico offering them land in the United States if they declared war on them. However, this message was intercepted by Great Britain and given to the United States. Thus, Germany further damaged their relations with the United States by attempting to bring them into the war as a result of another country declaring war on them. At this point, malicious tensions between the two countries caused, in part, the United States to enter into the war, as Germany had made many wartime efforts against the United States while it was declared neutral. Also, President Wilson had a bearing desire to secure world peace that led him to enter his country into the war.
Wilson created his Fourteen Points Plan with the intention of establishing peaceful cooperation between nations. The first five points of this plan evidence his goal of peace as they focus on peaceful and non-secretive bilateral relations, freedom of the ocean, and reduction of weapons. Collectively, these points attempt to resolve the issues that caused the First World War and maintain peaceful relations between nations. Also, Wilson’s creation of the League of Nations evidences his attempt to secure peace. The organization was an attempt for nations to negotiate and preserve peaceful relations amongst each other. Despite the lack of the United States’ entry to the League of Nations, just the creation of the organization displays Wilson’s concern for nations to preserve relations that avoid violence. Holistically, Wilson entered the United States in the First World War as a result of these attempts at peace. He believed that by ending the war, the United States could bring a lasting a secure peace that would be maintained by his Fourteen Points Plan that included the League of Nations. His reason for entering into the war was partially moral, in his quest for global peace, alongside obligational due to aforementioned German tensions caused by the U-boat campaign and Zimmermann
Telegram.
Despite Wilson’s moral motivations, economic reasons also caused the United States to enter into the war, as business improved before the entry.
Firstly, United States exports doubled between 1914 and 916, and seventy percent of these exports went to Europe. The economic improvements made by trade display that the United States was benefitting from the war, while remaining neutral. However, the distribution of these exports in Europe caused the nation to enter into the war. The exports given to Great Britain were proportionally larger than those given to Germany, evidencing the United States’ favoritism before the war. Also, this disproportion of trade created poor relations with Germany that caused the United States to enter. Furthermore, the United States economic dealings with Europe impacted their depression in 1914. United States’ trade during the war allowed for the economy to come out of the depression and suggests that the country did not have total isolation from the war. This wartime trade allowed for minor involvement form United States that created a gateway for greater participation till they were fully entered in the First World War. The economic involvement of the United States prior to entry allowed for gradually more involvement, until finally the nation was forced to enter due to German
instigation. Historian Christopher Ray asserted that Wilson entered into the war in order to guarantee that a fair peace settlement would be an outcome. He saw that US intervention was the only possible way to ensure a negotiated resolution. Ray’s perspective is supported by the creation of Wilson’s Fourteen Points Plan, as each of the point focuses on an agreement that would guarantee peace with the involvement of other nations. The League of Nations was intended to allow for any future negotiation that was necessary after the war. Contrary, Harold Evans argued that Wilson had joined the war to break up old forms of diplomacy and that he was in disagreement with Germany’s government. However, evidenced by his Fourteen Points Plan, it is apparent that Wilson’s main focus for Germany was not to convert its government, but rather to reach a fair settlement. The only main condition outlined for Germany was to evacuate Belgium, but this is for the sake of Belgium and not to punish Germany. Holistically, the German aggression, Wilson’s desire for peace, and United States’ economic war ties, all caused the United States to enter into the war. After becoming a full ally of the war, Wilson’s desire lead the nation to rise as a world power. The ongoing goal of peaceful diplomatic relations between countries expressed an advanced global awareness for the United States. In turn, this allowed the nation to rise as a world power. Despite the failure of his idea of the League of Nations causing a Second World War, this was used as a foundation for current diplomatic relations. The present day United Nations has a similar goal of using diplomatic relations to maintain a peaceful world, however it used the flaws of the League of Nations to become more successful. In conclusion, the entry of the United States into the First World War spurred the rise of the nation as a world power and allowed for future developments in current day diplomacy.