payment page
American Neutrality and Diplomacy
Since the beginning of World War I in 1914, the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, had maintained strict neutrality, other than providing material assistance to the Allies. Even in May 1915, when a German submarine sank the British ocean liner Lusitania, killing 128 US citizens out of a total 1,200 dead, the United States, though in uproar, remained neutral. By the time of Wilson’s reelection, the war had left millions dead, cities and economies in ruins, and no decisive victory in sight for any side. In November and December 1916, Wilson attempted to broker a resolution through diplomacy. While Germany responded positively, France and Britain both refused.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
In January 1917, Germany announced that it would lift all restrictions on submarine warfare starting on February 1. This declaration meant that German U-boat commanders were authorized to sink all ships that they believed to be providing aid of any sort to the Allies. Because the primary goal was to starve Britain into surrendering, the German effort would focus largely on ships crossing the Atlantic from the United States and Canada. The first victim of this new policy was the American cargo ship Housatonic, which a German U-boat sank on February 3, 1917. In response, President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany the same day. The escalation was serious and turned out to be a major step toward the United States’ entry into the war.
The Zimmermann Telegram
In the meantime, the exposure of diplomatic mischief pushed America even closer to war with Germany. In February 1917, British intelligence revealed an intercepted telegram from Germany to American diplomats. In the telegram, sent by German foreign minister Alfred Zimmermann to his ambassador in Mexico on January 16, Zimmermann instructed the ambassador to offer Mexico generous financial aid if it would ally itself with Germany against the United States. Furthermore, the telegram promised German support for Mexico in reconquering its lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
On March 1, 1917, the text of the Zimmermann telegram appeared on the front pages of American newspapers, and in a heartbeat, American public opinion shifted in favor of entering the war.
The US Declaration of War
Although Wilson tried hard to keep the United States neutral, by the spring of 1917, the situation had changed significantly, and neutrality no longer seemed feasible. Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare was taking its toll, as American ships, both cargo and passenger, were sunk one after another. The exposure of the Zimmermann telegram and other German subterfuge further convinced the American public that the war was threatening American interests. Finally, on April 2, Wilson appeared before Congress and requested a declaration of war. Congress responded within days, officially declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
The Convoy System
By the time the United States entered the war, German submarines were causing catastrophic damage to the supply of food and other resources coming into Britain from abroad. On May 24, 1917, the British admiralty finally gave in to demands to establish a system of convoys. Under the plan, British warships would provide heavily armed escorts for all ships coming to Britain from the United States, Canada, and other countries. The plan was especially important from the US perspective, as American soldiers would soon begin heading to Britain by ship in large numbers. More than half a dozen convoy gathering points were soon established along the North American coast.
The convoys had an immediate and dramatic effect. The number of ships, supplies, and men lost to German submarines plummeted, virtually nullifying Germany’s effort to force Britain’s surrender. The convoys enabled American troops to be ferried across the Atlantic throughout the summer of 1917.
Assessing the US Entrance
In the year leading up to the US declaration of war, President Wilson’s position on the war changed dramatically. Although the United States had long maintained a much warmer relationship with Great Britain and France than with Germany or Austria-Hungary, Wilson’s administration kept a strictly neutral stance.
This evenhanded diplomacy evaporated quickly, however, when Germany began unrestricted submarine warfare in January 1917. Although it was the Zimmermann telegram that effectively turned American public opinion, in truth, the “threat” presented in the telegram bordered on the absurd. The threat from German submarines, on the other hand, was a direct threat to American lives, commerce, and property and had to be countered. There could now be little question of the United States remaining neutral, and within two months, the United States declared war.
As it turned out, there was a large time gap between the US declaration of war and the actual entrance of US troops in combat. Time was needed for large numbers of US soldiers to be trained, moved into place, and organized. Even after troops were finally in combat, the United States never formally joined the Allied forces but technically remained an independent participant, at war only with Germany and not with Austria-Hungary.
Events Timeline
May 7, 1915
German U-boat sinks ocean liner Lusitania, killing 128 American citizens.
October 21, 1916
French renew attack on Verdun
November 7
Wilson reelected on antiwar platform; begins diplomatic initiatives
February 1, 1917
Germany begins unrestricted submarine warfare
February 3
German U-boat sinks US cargo ship Housatonic
United States breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany
February 24
United States learns of Zimmermann telegram
March 1
Zimmermann telegram published in American press
April 2
Wilson asks Congress to declare war
April 6
United States declares war on Germany
May 24
First US convoy to protect shipping to Europe departs
September 4
First US war fatalities
November 2–3
First US combat mission
Key People
Woodrow Wilson
US president during the war; attempted to maintain neutrality but saw it crumble in 1917
Alfred Zimmermann
German foreign minister; sent telegram attempting to incite Mexico to attack the United States
