Should America Join World War I?

With the beginning of World War I, American nationalism led to two different viewpoints on whether America should enter the war with the Allies. The side that favored entering the war argued that they should join due to attacks on American citizens, similar culture to Allies, and more money invested with the Allies. When the U.S. decided to go to war, they argued they were fighting for democracy and that the Germans were evil which they portrayed through propaganda and censorship. The people against going to war argued that this was not America’s war and that America is a land of peace, and if America went to war it would only be for the money at the cost of American lives. Even with the major points that the people against the war brought
One of the main negative arguments put forth was that America would be going to war because of money. In Senator George Norris’ speech to Congress, he pointed out that many “people are moved by selfish motives and hopes of gain” as a reason for entering the war. He went further to say, “we have loaned many hundreds of millions of dollars to the Allies in this controversy” which compels us to take a course that would “make every bond worth one hundred cents on the dollar” showing the corruption involved with going into war. Some Americans felt going into the war would be an unnecessary loss of life just to protect American financial interests. Another reason some of Americans did not want to go to war was due to their German heritage and sympathy for the German people. For example, Senator Robert La Follette said in his speech to the Senate that “it is the President’s proposition that we shall be so leagued, with the hereditary enemies of Germany.” which showed a kind of nationalism he felt for Germany and his sympathies with his largely German American constituency in Wisconsin. The amount of death and bitterness found in Europe made army Americans weary about going to war. Songs such as “The Military Representative” showed a very dark side of the war and the massive amount of pointless deaths leading to some
Grief and outrage after incidents such as the sinking of the Lusitania by the Germans, sympathy for England and France with their similar governments, and feelings of national pride as Americans stepped out to fight the German “Hun” all led to a sense of patriotism and nationalistic pride which produced more support for the war among Americans. African Americans felt patriotic as well as they went off to fight, but had a hope that America would open and treat them as equals which was a battle that lay ahead of their community. The arguments for war were much stronger and persuasive. America could be the tipping factor which led to victory for the Allies which is what did happen. The war was a stalemate in many areas and fresh help was needed. Attempts to provoke Americans through the sinking of boats and the Zimmerman telegram proved outrageous enough to stir deep nationalistic feelings and motivation to fight. In the end, America’s involvement brought a swifter end to the conflict which stopped the loss of life and destruction. The Treaty of Versailles crafted by Wilson, Clemenceau, George, and Vittorio placed such hardships on Germany through loss of territory, the war guilt clause, reparations to be paid, and military reductions that bitterness was palpable for not only the German government, but German citizens as well. Unfortunately, the seeds of discord were