United States Enters World War I
The U.S. declared war on Germany after unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram.
On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany, entering World War I after nearly three years of neutrality. Several factors pushed America into the war: Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare (sinking American ships), the Zimmermann Telegram revealed a German proposal for Mexico to ally against the U.S., and President Woodrow Wilson argued the world must be "made safe for democracy." American troops, called "doughboys," began arriving in France by mid-1917. Their fresh numbers and resources helped turn the tide for the exhausted Allies.
Key Takeaways
The Zimmermann Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare pushed the U.S. into the war
American troops provided crucial reinforcements for the exhausted Allies
Wilson framed U.S. entry as a fight to make the world safe for democracy