The prompt describes how the United States president wrestled with the decision to enter World War I, culminating in a policy shift from neutrality to war in 1917. Key points you asked about
- Context: At the outbreak of World War I in Europe (1914), the United States pursued a policy of neutrality under President Woodrow Wilson.
- Turning events: German submarine warfare and attacks on neutral and belligerent ships increasingly violated American rights and interests. The sinking of ships like the Lusitania in 1915 and the Zimmerman Telegram in early 1917 shifted public opinion and policy discussions.
- Decision moment: Wilson delivered a war message to Congress in early April 1917, arguing that Germany’s actions violated neutral rights and that “the world must be made safe for democracy.” This led to a congressional declaration of war against Germany.
- Outcome: The United States formally entered World War I in April 1917, aligning with the Allies and contributing to the conflict’s eventual outcome.
If you’re looking for a concise narrative:
- Wilson’s initial stance was neutrality and a moral calling to keep the U.S. out of war.
- Evidence accumulating against neutrality included submarine warfare, civilian ship losses, and provocative diplomatic moves like the Zimmermann Telegram.
- After orientation within his cabinet and political calculus, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on Germany on April 2, 1917, and Congress approved, bringing the U.S. into World War I on April 6, 1917.
Would you like a short, citation-backed summary or a longer, paragraph-style historical account with dates and primary-source quotes?
