America and World War One - Essay Example

America and World War One The 20th century remains an important period in American history following groundbreaking events at the local, national, and international level, which contributed to America’s rise to the summit of the world. Following American Industrialization in the 19th century, the subsequent centuries saw the growth and expansion American influence. It began with the Great War, where America made unprecedented advancements in the global arena at the expense of European nations pitted against each other in a bloody war. Even though America entered the Great War in 1917, its neutrality in the previous years was questionable, as America strategized and traded with nations participating in the war. When the First World War was declared in 1914, America adopted a policy of isolation and neutrality because many Americans could not believe Europe was ready to descend into greater depths in war, as depicted by the trench warfare adopted in the course of the war (Zieger 63). Even though small groups in America like American-French and American Germans supported the country’s involvement in the war, the majority of Americans favored Woodrow Wilson’s approach to remain neutral, as he needed to listen to public opinion in order to guarantee re-election in 2016 (Zieger 4). As a result, Wilson took control of foreign policy issues because the causes of war extended beyond race, as seen in the world war. America’ neutrality was based on a premise that a European war would not interfere with American interests, as trade continued unabated, but threatening America’s interest after Germany sank the Lusitania prompted America to join the war in 1917. The French, British, Germans, and Austro-Hungarians who led their nations to war after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand made many errors, but their worst miscalculation was neglect of the American factor, especially in case of a prolonged war (Zieger 104). America keenly followed rapidly unfolding events in the international arena and seized the opportunity to influence the war transformed international arena positively in its favor by declaring war on Germany in 1917 after the sinking of Lusitania. America exploited its neutrality not only to facilitate trade in the international arena in the event of war, but also to strategize to take the glory of the war and challenge Western hegemony, and the Zimmerman note provided an opportunity for America to prepare for full-scale war in 1918 (Zieger 160). The Zimmerman letter was a telegram sent by Arthur Zimmermann, German Foreign Secretary seeking military alliance with Mexico against America. After an interception and translation by British cryptographers, the message was delivered to Wilson and subsequently to the American press in March 1917. The letter sought an alliance with Mexico for a return of its territories formerly usurped by America. Moreover, this was possible because of growing German anti sentiments in America and a weakening British naval force, and as seen in previous readings, a shift in public opinion made Wilson seeks permission from Congress to declare war on Germany. Consequently, the Zimmerman letter changed the course of American and world history by formally drawing America into the war, and five days after its release to the press, Congress declared war on Germany by joining the Allies who were almost suffering a defeat at the hands of the Axis powers. The German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare led to sustained attacks against American ships who continued their neutrality as they failed to believe the telegram. However, the letter threatened not only America’s economic interests, but also sovereignty because Germany was ready to assist Mexico in usurping all Mexican territories annexed by America. However, Wilson declared the Telegram original after confirmation from Zimmermann and ordered it to be made public on March 1, 1917. American sentiments favoring war bore fruit in April 6, 1917 when America declared war on Germany after Wilson has sought Congress approval four days before the declaration of war. The failure of Congress to ratify the Versailles Treaty following public sentiments of an isolationism also questioned America’s policy of neutrality in international affairs. Wilson’s foreign policy approach to isolation and neutrality was very powerful during the Great War, and its influence extended after the war, as demonstrated by America’s Congress refusal to ratify the charter of the Versailles Treaty. The treaty was shaped by the European powers, namely Britain, France, America, and Italy. However, criticism emerged not only from Germany, who were to take sole responsibility for the war, but also from other nations who argued the terms of the treaty were not inclusive. Ratifying the charter was agreement to form a League of Nations, which was an idea, flouted by Wilson during the interwar period. However, Congress failure to ratify the charter was considered Wilson’s failure, as America was not ready to concede individual power to the League of Nations. Sustained American sentiments of isolationism continued after the war and having an opportunity to challenge Western hegemony, the treaty was considered a means of leveling America is growing global influence after earning the Allied powers victory in the Great War. Many argued the Versailles Treaty was not Wilson’s failure, but an advancement of his approach of neutrality to international events. Through remaining neutral, Wilson managed to lay foundations for a new world order and peace that are unmatched contributions today. According to Wilsons Treasury Secretary Gibbs McAdoo in 1921 after Wilson left office, “The outstanding thing for which he fought, the thing that transcends political and economic considerations, is the permanent peace of the world. Unless this is secured all else is a failure; without this the sublimest hope of humanity is sunk in the black abyss; without this all political and economic adjustments are unstable and sooner or later will disappear” (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, p. 1). According to his statements, he implied Wilson’s approach to foreign policy continued because America’s global influence was sustainable in a peaceful and orderly international arena. Throughout the existence of society, historical and social occurrences continue to influence events in the world today, and it is apparent America’s position at the summit of the world owes to the groundbreaking events in the 20th century, which began with the Great War. Even though America entered the Great War in 1917, its neutrality in the previous years was questionable, as America strategized and traded with nations participating in the war. As a result, America acquired sufficient economic and strategic resources to emerging victorious in the war and exploited the opportunity in 1917 to challenge Western hegemony and begin its journey to becoming a superpower in the world. Works Cited The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Treaty of Versailles and President Wilson, 1919 and 1921. 2012. Available at Zieger, Robert H. Americas Great War: World War I and the American Experience. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publ, 2001. Zimmermann Telegram, 1917; Decimal File, 1910-1929, 862.20212/69, General Records of the Department of State; Record Group 59. Available at Read More