Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War Message

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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
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• When war erupted in Europe during the summer of
  1914, few Americans were eager to participate.

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• President Woodrow Wilson declared the United
  States neutral in thought as well as in action.
  But maintaining neutrality proved quite difficult.

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• Powerful cultural and family ties connected many
  Americans to Great Britain.

Tower Bridge in London.
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• Economists and industrialists viewed European
  trade as the key to boosting a slow economy.

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ndex.htm
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• At the same time, millions of Americans of German
  or Irish descent felt no affinity (love) for the
  British.

German Immigrants
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• 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
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p_sociopol_fed06d.htm
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• 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.

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• German U-boat attacks, especially the sinking of
  the Lusitania with many Americans onboard,
  generated popular demands for vengeance.

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ck_victory.htm
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• At first, the Wilson administration persuaded the
  Germans to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare
  against ships traveling to Great Britain.

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1_1910s_1920s.htm
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• In 1916, Wilson won reelection, vowing to keep
  America out of the war.

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• Within months, desperation compelled the Germans
  to resume unrestricted submarine attacks.

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• 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.

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ml
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• The present German submarine warfare against
  commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a
  war of all nations. American ships have been
  sunk.

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iscope.htm
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• Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious
  assertionbut only the vindication of right

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• 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

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• Neutrality is no longer feasible The world must
  be made safe for democracy.

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1HistMemoirs/ArmyBoysOnGermanSoil.htm