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President Woodrow Wilson and the
US entry into WW1 for kids
At the outbreak of World War 1 on
July 28, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson adopted a neutral stance in
an effort to keep the United States of America from being drawn into a foreign
war that was being waged in Europe - refer to the map and the
Outbreak and Causes of WW1 in
Europe.
Woodrow Wilson Re-elected
On November 7, 1916
Woodrow Wilson was re-elected on an anti-war platform. Most of the European
countries believed that the war would be over in less than a year.
However, the war continued to rage and it
became increasingly difficult for America to maintain its impartial policy
of neutrality.
US entry into WW1: US declares War on Germany
On April 2, 1917
President Woodrow Wilson appeared before a special session of
Congress on to ask for a declaration of war against Germany. The
Senate passed the resolution on April 4, 1917 by a vote of 82 to 6.
The House concurred 373 to 50 on April 6, 1917 and President Wilson
signed the resolution. The United States of America was at war.
Date of
US entry into WW1: April 6 1917
The date of US entry into WW1
was April 6, 1917
when the nation was
drawn into World War 1 on the side of the Allies. The United States of America
entered the conflict, two and a half years after the
war had begun on
July 28, 1914, and declared war on Germany on April
6, 1917.
Events
and Reasons for
US entry into WW1 for kids
The events and reasons
for the US entry into WW1 are detailed in the facts
sheet below.
Facts
about the
Reasons for US entry into WW1
for kids
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 1:
On May 7, 1915 the British ocean passenger liner, the
Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat (submarine). A
total of 1,198 people of the 1,959 on board were killed,
of which 148 were Americans. There were only 761
survivors
Reasons for US
entry into WW1 Fact 2: Pro-British propaganda in the press
with the invasion of neutral Belgium by Germany,
allegations of atrocities, and submarine warfare
encouraged pro-war sentiments and lessened isolationist
sentiments.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 3: The American economy was booming.
Submarine warfare threatened to stop American trade and brought
the threat of another recession in the US.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 4: American banks had made massive loans
to the British and the Allies at great profit. American
finance and US economic stability was closely tied to
the interest of a British victory in the war against
Germany to ensure the US was reimbursed.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 5: The
Black Tom Explosion was caused by German saboteurs
in New York Harbor on July 30, 1916 to prevent British
receipt of munitions from the US.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 6: At the beginning of 1917 Germany
launched all-out submarine warfare on every commercial
ship headed towards Britain and started sinking American
ships in the North Atlantic.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 7: On February 3, 1917 German
U-boat sank the U.S. cargo ship Housatonic and the United States
broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 8:
Between February 3, 1917 and March 21, 1917 German
U-boats sank six American merchant ships without warning
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 9: On March 1, 1917 the
Zimmermann
telegram was published in the American press and inflamed American
public opinion against Germany and helped convince
Congress to declare war against Germany.
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 10:
On April 2 President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to
declare war against Germany. On April 4 the Senate
passed the resolution by a vote of 82 to 6 and the House
of Representatives concurred 373 to 50
Reasons for US entry
into WW1 Fact 11: On April 6, 1917 President
Woodrow Wilson signed the resolution., declared war on
Germany and fought with the allies in WW1 during which
126,000 Americans died and 234,000 Americans were
wounded. WW1 ended on 11 November 1918.
Facts
about the
Reasons for US entry into WW1
for kids
Who
supported the
US entry into WW1?
The US entry into WW1
was supported by Woodrow Wilson and other powerful political leaders
such as Theodore Roosevelt.
Who
opposed the
US entry into WW1?
The US entry into WW1
was opposed by pacifists, intellectuals and isolationists
and various ant-war factions. The pacifists included Quaker and
Protestant religious groups and various women's movements led by
Montana congresswoman Jeannette Rankin.
Pre-war efforts to modernize and enlarge the army were blocked by
Congressman James Hay, Democrat of Virginia was the powerful
chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs.
Western Progressives (reformers in Western states) who opposed the
US entry into WW1 included politicians Robert La Follette,
George Norris, William Borah, and Hiram Johnson. Anti-war Socialists
like Eugene V. Debs, Union leader and Socialist candidate for
President also spoke against American entry into the war.
The Attitude of Americans before
US entry into WW1 for kids
The attitude of
Americans towards the war varied considerably before the US entry into WW1
as detailed in the following fact sheet:
Facts
about the
Americans before entry into WW1
for kids
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 1: The war involved the continent of
Europe - 3000 miles away from the United States of
America. Many Americans wanted to keep their country out
of what was perceived as a European War.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 2: Many Americans respected and
supported the anti-war views and the neutral
stance and of their leader and government who wanted to
maintain the prosperity and stability of the nation.
Woodrow Wilson quote "We must be impartial in thought as
well as in action".
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 3: Americans took sides. The majority of
American citizens had been born in Europe or were of
European descent. Americans sympathized with their
'mother countries'.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 4: Most 'Old Immigrants' from Western
Europe supported the Allies valuing the language,
heritage and political ideals they shared with Britain.
Others valued the links with France which dated back to
the support of France during the American War of
Independence.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 5: Immigration to America from Europe
had exploded during the late 1800's due to the
Industrial revolution. The 'New Immigrants' from the
eastern European countries supported their
homeland countries.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 6: The nation’s 8 million migrants from Germany
supported the Central Powers.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 7: The nation’s 4.5 million Irish-Americans, also
sympathized with the Central Powers due to their long standing
antagonism towards Britain and the British rule.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 8: The start of the war in Europe
coincided with the end of the 1913–1914 Recession in
America. The European war resulted in an increased
demand abroad for weapons, armaments and the tools of
war which began a period of heightened productivity and
increased profits, especially in the steel industry.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 9: Leaders of the woman's movement and
most religious groups tended towards pacifism
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 10: On May 7, 1915 the British ocean
liner the Lusitania, which had many American passengers
aboard, was sunk by a German U-Boat outraged the
American people. Germany made the 'Sussex
Pledge' to America (not to sink merchant ships
without due warning)
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 11: Following the outbreak of World War
the 'Preparedness Movement' was a campaign led by
Theodore Roosevelt and General Leonard Wood to prepare
for war and strengthen the military of the United
States. Their aim was also to convince the nation of the
need for American involvement in the conflict.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 12: The National Security League, the
American Defense Society, the League to Enforce Peace
and American Rights Committee supported the Preparedness
Movement. Acts of Sabotage such as the
Black Tom Explosion
strengthened their cause.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 13: The
National Defense
Act was
passed on June 3, 1916 in response to the Preparedness
Movement which expanded the size and scope of the
National Guard and established the Reserve Officer
Training Corps (ROTC) to train and prepare high school
and college students for Army service.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 14: The Naval Act of 1916, a massive
naval appropriations bill, was passed authorizing
10 battleships, 10 Omaha-class scout cruisers, 6
Lexington-class battle cruisers, 50 Wickes-class
destroyers and numerous other smaller warships to be
built over a period of just 3 years.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 15: In early 1917 Germany began to attack American
ships in the North Atlantic. The sinking of U.S. cargo ship
the Housatonic led America to break off diplomatic relations with
Germany.
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 16: On March 1, 1917 the
Zimmermann
Telegram was published in American press and inflamed American
public opinion against Germany and helped convince
Congress to declare war against Germany. For additional
facts refer to
1910 Mexican revolution
Americans before
entry into WW1 Fact 17: On April 6, 1917 President
Wilson declared war on Germany, two and a half years after the
war had begun. America fought with the allies in WW1
until the war ended on 11 November 1918.
Facts
about the
Americans before entry into WW1
for kids
US entry into WW1 for kids: American entry and US role World War I
On April 6, 1917 the United States
Senate declared war on Germany
and fought with the allies in WW1. For additional
facts and information refer to the following links: .
US entry into WW1 for kids - President Woodrow Wilson Video
The article on the US entry into WW1 provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
Woodrow Wilson video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 28th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921.
US entry into WW1
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Interesting Facts about US entry into WW1 for kids and schools
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Key events
and US entry into WW1 for kids
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The US entry into WW1, a major
event in US history
●
Woodrow Wilson Presidency from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921
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Fast, fun facts about the US entry into WW1
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President Woodrow Wilson
● Woodrow Wilson Presidency and
US entry into WW1 for schools,
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