US Entry into World War I Review

The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.

The United States remained neutral while battles raged in Europe.

The United States finally entered the war in 1917, but why....?

The sinking of the passenger ships Lusitania in 1915 by German submarines had brought the United States to the brink of war.

To keep the United States out of the conflict, the German government agreed to give warning before sinking ships.

However, Germany resumed submarine warfare without restrictions.

This secret message from Germany’s foreign secretary to the Mexican government proposed a Mexican-German alliance if the United States declared war on Germany.

The intercept and publication of the telegram caused outrage and pushed the United States toward war.

On January 16, 1917, Zimmermann sent a coded message to the German minister in Mexico.

The telegram promised to reward Mexico with “her lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona” if Mexico should become Germany’s ally.

The proposal came at a time when relations between the United States and Mexico were very strained.

In November 1916, Mexico had offered bases off the Mexican coast to the Germans for their submarines.

The alliance between Germany and Mexico now seemed very possible.