Relations Between Potential Belligerents

Many would agree that the beginning of World War I came with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the rise of conflicts among European powers such as Austria and Serbia, along with Germany and Russia. Conflicts raging in Europe were quick to erupt, soon spreading into what would later be known as World War I. It is easy to deduce why some nations went into war; but the question remains, why did larger powers such as Italy, Great Britain, and the U.

S. enter the war in the ways that they did? While the general initiation of World War I occurred during late July and early August of 1914, it took until nearly a year later, in 1915, for nations such as Italy to declare war. In regards to the U.

S., their entry took until April 1917 after the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram. The Zimmermann Telegram appears to be an obvious reason for declaration of war, but there were many other issues dealt to the U.S. at the time.

However, while factors such as a tense political climate and indirect involvement of the U.

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S. increased the incentive to enter World War I, it was ultimately the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram that pushed the U.S. over the edge as the Telegram confirmed previous suspicions about Germany and connected potential conflicts with nations such as Mexico with previous ones. The Zimmermann Telegram seems like an obvious catalyst to America’s involvement in The Great War; it directly targeted areas of the U.S. and made deals with the neighboring nation of Mexico entailing Germany’s plan of attack and means of seeking revenge on behalf of Mexico’s losses from the Mexican-American War. In the Telegram, it states that if unrestricted submarine warfare fails to keep the U.S. neutral, “We make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.” (Zimmermann). The intentions of Germany are clear, and the American response is furious. Woodrow Wilson had a lot to deal with around this time as America was still dealing with consequences of the Spanish-American War which further disrupted the political climate in the United States.

In the previous century, the U.S. had endured some of the toughest strifes to date. For instance, the American Civil War was one of the greatest turning points America had ever reached. It remains to be one of—if not the most—cruel and bloody war in all of American history. It highlights one of the most significant moments in regards to political controversy for the U.S. along with the rise of many other issues that would later carry over to the entry into World War I. Along with the many compromises from the conclusion of the American Civil War, there was still tension between the North and South with regards to slavery as well as the assertion of territories from Mexico and other parts of the world. The end of the war sparked interests for gaining foreign territories as, “Southerners agitated for the purchase of Cuba from Spain and the acquisition of additional territory in Central America.” (McPherson). The push from Americans to intrude territories all across Central America arose from the conclusion to the Civil War, and was a major contributor to the overall attitude towards Mexico when the Zimmermann Telegram was intercepted.

Furthermore, the Spanish-American War gave Americans the idea to, “exert American influence around the world… Thus, many people supported relocating the Native Americans, annexing Texas, and going to war with Mexico. “ (Koren). The entirety of the U.S. was itching to go to war with Mexico again by the time the Spanish-American War came to a close in 1898. This mindset did not dissipate as it remained consistent in the minds of Americans throughout the period between the conclusion of the Spanish-American War and the introduction of World War I. The Spanish-American War occurred less than 20 years before the U.S. decided to enter the First World War, but it nonetheless gave rise to many reasonable issues worthy of debate concerning the state of foreign affairs leading into the twentieth century. Engaging in disputes with Mexico seemed to be the next conflict waiting to happen, which is why the involvement of Mexico in the Zimmermann Telegram ultimately caused the U.S. to engage in World War I.

After the Spanish-American War, Americans adopted many ideals about conquering whatever land they see fit. By the late 1800s, “The Spanish still controlled the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba, on the doorstep of Florida. American newspapers whipped up fears about Spanish intentions and atrocities, many of them exaggerated, some outright false.” (Llewellyn). Americans were quick to become worried and engage in conflicts that may have posed only a minor threat at the time, and this process of deducing where to engage U.S. efforts ultimately carried over to the twentieth century with the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram. The U.S. was quick to become worried and engage in a conflict that involved multiple previous and current issues, which was another major factor contributing to the decision to enter the First World War after the interception of the Telegram.

Before the Spanish-American War and the American Civil War also marks the Mexican-American War; the first major dispute between Mexico and America leading up to World War I. The outcome of the war left the U.S. with, “Land that now comprises the states of California, Utah, Nevada, as well as parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. Mexico also renounced all rights to Texas.” (Hickman). Facing Mexico in the Mexican-American War came at a great cost, as tThe boldness of American forces to engage and succeed in such great conflicts indicates the perspective from which the U.S. acted from after the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram. The political climate of the U.S. was becoming more agitated, and the developing controversies between Mexico made the connection to Mexico embedded in the Zimmermann Telegram a major reason that the Telegram catalyzed U.S. entry into the War. The political climate in the U.S. leading up to WWI was not stable to say the least. In order to maintain a stable political environment, Woodrow Wilson claimed a neutral stance as a politician to prevent any further outbreak from his election.

The U.S. had been dealing with a barrage of consecutive wars leading up to the 20th century: The American Civil War, The Mexican-American War, and The Spanish-American War. The political climate was one of the most frugal aspects of America’s state during the time leading up to and into World War I. In every aspect the nation was split into two; issues involving the economy, military, the newest states established, and foreign policies. The interactions between Mexico and the United States following the Mexican-American War had not been the smoothest, considering America had claimed Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas as states following the war. Mexico had been holding a grudge against the U.S. for this, leaving them to be easily bribed by the receival of the Zimmermann Telegram. However, before conflicts escalated to this, America was not in the most peaceful state with Mexico. There was an increase in worry of possible conflict arising from adjacent nations, resulting in a more unstable political climate within the United States. Being unprepared to enter WWI was a major concern of the United States’, considering their nervousness to even work through major issues within their own nation. However, the population’s concern with issues regarding the backlash from Mexico following the Mexican-American War were great enough to where their concern over-prepared them and allowed them to enter WWI in

April 6, 1917 marks the entry of the U.S. into one of the greatest conflicts the world had ever seen; generally, the cause is linked to the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, but there were other reasons as well. Differentiating opinions all throughout the U.S. caused major divides among the American people from 1914 to 1916, pushing Woodrow Wilson towards a neutral stance. His point of view also created many issues; it gave rise to the worry about a possible war with Mexico as many struggles along the border raged on, as well as making the European nations that were already involved in The Great War a bit uncomfortable as it was uncommon to not have a side. The neutral stance of the U.S. also enabled them to easily aid a great deal to their allies in Europe without bringing a lot of attention towards them as an active participant in the conflict. Not leaning in any particular direction brought confusion towards almost every aspect in the U.S. at the time, making this one of the most significant issues causing entry to World War I.

Additionally, the Germans sunk a British ocean liner known as the Lusitania showing an aggressive utilization of unrestricted submarine warfare. Attacks were generally never targeting civilians, and if civilians were ever in danger, they were always given the opportunity to flee before an attack was made. However, the German attack on the British in May of 1915 brought the loss of innocent civilians, some of which were American. The Lusitania had left from New York City on May 1, 1915 and was bound for Liverpool. The Americans saw this as a direct attack on their people, creating a large incentive to join the war efforts with Britain against Germany. The political climate was so intense in the nation that it deterred the attention of the entire nation away from the event with the Lusitania and towards issues within the nation first. Despite the gruesome attack, Woodrow Wilson ultimately decided to remain dormant due to the right to freedom in the seas and their state of neutrality in the war and between Germany thus far.

However, one event that surely should have catalyzed the U.S. entry into WWI was the sinking of the Lusitania. The Lusitania was a ship that departed from New York City on May 1, 1915, carrying both American and British passengers. The ship also secretly carried munition from the Americans for the British war efforts. The Germans had their suspicions about the U.S. helping Britain with supplies, and sunk the ship of over “1150 passengers… including 115 Americans.” (Rockoff). This direct attack would seem to anger America and Woodrow Wilson, but only strengthened the neutral state of the time. Woodrow Wilson saw this as an attack on the British that the Americans accidentally walked in front of, leading him to back off as he did not see the U.S. as a confident, ready nation for war. They had just left a major war with Mexico, and could not see themselves plunging into another war so soon.

For two more years, The Great War raged on and the U.S. remained dormant; even in 1916 with the passing of the National Defense Act. This act led to the expansion of the army and the national guard, with the additional federalization of the national guard, bringing a great deal of skepticism worldwide as the U.S. seemed to be preparing for war, but still remained neutral. In January of 1917, Germany announced that they would resume their utilization of unrestricted submarine warfare, further infuriating the U.S. and other nations against them. However, it was not until the British interception of the Zimmermann Telegram to Mexico that led the U.S. to declare war on Germany on April 6, 1917.

Although there were multiple other incidents that occurred in the years leading up to the U.S. entry, it was the Zimmermann Telegram that ultimately catalyzed the action due to the direct strike towards the political climate in America, fear of aggression from Mexico, and loss of authority among European powers. The U.S. had a multitude of incidents spanning back to the beginning of World War I to serve as a catalyst for their entry, but the Zimmermann Telegram was the ultimatum for many specific reasons. The political climate had America on their toes towards each other already, but with the threat from an outside nation, a change in perspective was inevitable. Woodrow Wilson was attempting to simmer the tension throughout the nation before engaging in war; however, his intentions were countered by an outside threat, funneling the charge inside the U.S. outwards.