Initially, the United States was not apart of World War I 1914-1919. In fact President Wilson was advocating peace and called for an end to the war. However, President Woodrow Wilson on April 2, 1917 went before a joint session of Congress to request a Declaration of war against Germany. Wilson had used as his reason for declaring war against Germany their use of unrestricted submarine warfare and an attempt to convince Mexico in forming an alliance to attack against the US. On April 6 the United States declared war on Germany. Before war was declared on Germany the United States had warn them that if they do not refrain from attacking passenger ships they would sever diplomatic relationship with them. Germany agreed to this and what was known as Sussex Pledge was formed. The United States faced a major economic lost in their participation in the war. Approximately 52 percent of the United States gross national product was spent in the financing of the war. Before the U.S had entered the war their economy had sky rocketed because European powers were purchasing U.S goods for the war. When the U.S joined the war massive federal spending were done to finance the war. Military personnel were expanded as well as Government personnel. Therefore there was a huge reduction in unemployment rate. Fifty eight percent of the money that was used to finance the war came from public borrowing. Therefore there was a huge tax increase. Pressure was placed on the population to buy bonds and the Government tried
Initially, the United States was not apart of World War I 1914-1919. In fact President Wilson was advocating peace and called for an end to the war. However, President Woodrow Wilson on April 2, 1917 went before a joint session of Congress to request a Declaration of war against Germany. Wilson had used as his reason for declaring war against Germany their use of unrestricted submarine warfare and an attempt to convince Mexico in forming an alliance to attack against the US. On April 6 the United States declared war on Germany. Before war was declared on Germany the United States had warn them that if they do not refrain from attacking passenger ships they would sever diplomatic relationship with them. Germany agreed to this and what was known as Sussex Pledge was formed. The United States faced a major economic lost in their participation in the war. Approximately 52 percent of the United States gross national product was spent in the financing of the war. Before the U.S had entered the war their economy had sky rocketed because European powers were purchasing U.S goods for the war. When the U.S joined the war massive federal spending were done to finance the war. Military personnel were expanded as well as Government personnel. Therefore there was a huge reduction in unemployment rate. Fifty eight percent of the money that was used to finance the war came from public borrowing. Therefore there was a huge tax increase. Pressure was placed on the population to buy bonds and the Government tried