What factors influenced U.S. sympathies in World War I? | Socratic (2024)

At the start of the war I think the US public was a bit puzzled and probably not very enthusiastic to deal or get involved with a war between nations (European) from which the majority of the now US citizens had escaped from.
Irish, Germans Russians and Italians in the US saw Europe as a terrible place full of inhuman dictators, horrible living conditions, hunger, violence and poverty.
The government probably was slightly more interested in helping England due to the natural ties with her and the fact that America had a lot of investment tied with England (that in case of defeat could represent a big loss of money).
The German community was supporting Germany and there are cases where sabotage (at the New York docks if I remember correctly) was perpetrated by alleged member of a German Sixth Column of saboteurs.

Anyway, we have some interesting points that moved the sympathies against Germany:

1) The clumsy diplomatic efforts toward peace of Germany (basically, asking for peace from the point of view of a winner and trying to arrogantly impose a "victory on paper" not obtainable in the fighting);

2) The sinking of the English ship Lusitania (coming from New York to England and supposedly not armed, even if the dynamic of her sinking suggests the presence of ammunitions on board) with the death of many American civilians;

3) The famous "secret" message of the German Minister of the Exterior Arthur Zimmerman to the Mexican government promising lands (in Texas and Arizona) in exchange of a Mexican involvement against the US. The message was rapidly discovered, deciphered and delivered to the US government by the British.

After these episodes and rumors of atrocities perpetrated by German troops in Belgium and France there was a clear polarization of sympathies of the US public toward supporting England and France against Germany.

An interesting fact is that rarely the hate was directed towards the "Germans" but rather against an idealized cruel and inhumane enemy, the "Huns" that was normally depicted as a German soldier with a grotesque caricature of the face of the Kaiser (sometimes depicted with a funny or cruel expression).

What factors influenced U.S. sympathies in World War I? | Socratic (1)

What factors influenced U.S. sympathies in World War I? | Socratic (2024)

FAQs

Which two factors influenced US sympathies in World War 1? ›

1 Answer. Among others, the unrestricted submarine warfare (with the sinking of the Lusitania) and the famous Zimmerman cablegram steered the sympathies towards France and England and decidedly against Germany.

What factors ultimately influenced US involvement in WWI? ›

Germany's resumption of submarine attacks on passenger and merchant ships in 1917 became the primary motivation behind Wilson's decision to lead the United States into World War I.

What were the 3 reasons the US entered ww1? ›

Submarine warfare in the Atlantic kept tensions high, and Germany's sinking of the British ocean liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915, killed more than 120 U.S. citizens and provoked outrage in the U.S. In 1917, Germany's attacks on American ships and its attempts to meddle in U.S.-Mexican relations drew the U.S. into the ...

What was the most significant impact of World War I on the United States? ›

In addition, the conflict heralded the rise of conscription, mass propaganda, the national security state and the FBI. It accelerated income tax and urbanisation and helped make America the pre-eminent economic and military power in the world.

What are the 2 most important causes of WW1? ›

The M-A-I-N acronym – militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism – is often used to analyse the war, and each of these reasons are cited to be the 4 main causes of World War One.

Which factor was the most important factor that led to WWI? ›

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

What were the main reasons for US involvement in ww1 quizlet? ›

The main reasons the US got involved in the war was because of nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and forming allies. Many countries were scared of Germany's nationalism. Imperialism helped Germany with its markets making it stronger.

What were three things that influenced Americans feelings about the war? ›

What were three things that influenced Americans' feelings about the war? Socialists saw the war as an imperialist struggle between German and English businessmen. Pacifists believed all wars were bad. Immigrants sympathized with their homelands.

What factors contributed to World War 1 quizlet? ›

The factors that contributed to the outbreak of WWI were the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, imperialism, alliances, and nationalism.

Why did the United States enter World War 1 essay? ›

The first reason was the sinking of the ship Lusitania. The second conflict was the sending of the Zimmerman Telegram. The final cause was that German U-Boats sank several merchant ships. Due to these three leading causes, the U.S was no longer neutral in World War I.

What were the three main causes of World War 1 quizlet? ›

The main causes of WWI were nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the system of alliances.

Which event most clearly influenced the US decision to enter World War I on the Allied side? ›

The series of events between 1915 and 1917 led Wilson to finally deliver his war message to Congress on April 2, 1917. German submarine warfare had resulted in the sinking of several ships and the loss of American lives. Most remarkable was the attack against the Lusitania, on May 7, 1915, when 128 Americans died.

What was the most significant impact of World War 1? ›

The First World War destroyed empires, created numerous new nation-states, encouraged independence movements in Europe's colonies, forced the United States to become a world power and led directly to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler.

What was the most significant impact on WW1? ›

Specific Effects of World War 1:

WW1 caused the downfall of four monarchies: Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. The war made people more open to other ideologies, such as the Bolsheviks that came to power in Russia and fascism that triumphed in Italy and even later in Germany.

What were 3 important results of ww1? ›

A: It changed the world. It led to the Russian Revolution, the collapse of the German Empire and the collapse of the Hapsburg Monarchy, and it led to the restructuring of the political order in Europe and in other parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East.

Which of the 5 causes of WWI was most impactful? ›

The overall cause of World War was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Nationalism was a great cause of World War one because of countries being greedy and not negotiating.

What events motivated the US to join the war? ›

The Zimmermann Telegram

On April 2, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany specifically citing Germany's renewed submarine policy as “a war against mankind. It is a war against all nations.” He also spoke about German spying inside the U.S. and the treachery of the Zimmermann Telegram.

What were the most important reasons why World War 1 began? ›

The real causes of World War I included politics, secret alliances, imperialism, and nationalistic pride. However, there was one single event, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, which started a chain of events leading to war.

What are the main causes of ww1 answer key? ›

The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 was due to a combination of causes which were both long-term and short-term: alliances, militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What was World War 1 about short summary? ›

World War I was a global conflict that took place between 1914 and 1918. Also known as the Great War or First World War, it was fought mainly in Europe, but it also spread to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Most of the war was fought using artillery (large weapons such as cannons), machine guns, and rifles.

Why did the United States declare war? ›

Wilson requested a declaration of war because of its alliance with Germany and participation in attacks on United States soldiers and civilians, including the Austro-Hungarian Navy's complicity in submarine attacks on U.S. shipping.

What were the 7 causes of World War 1? ›

The main causes of World War 1 were alliances between countries, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, secret diplomacy, and internationalism. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by Gavrilo Princip in Bosnia is widely accepted as the starting point for World War I.

What factors increased American sympathy for the Allies? ›

Factors that increased American sympathy for the Allies was the sinking of the Lusitania (1,198 dead including 128 Americans) among other ships. -Wilson tries to mediate, calls for “a peace between equals.” -Kaiser announces U-boats will sink all ships in British waters.

What was the cause of the First World War? ›

The spark that ignited World War I was struck in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand—heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire—was shot to death along with his wife, Sophie, by the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914.

What factors made WW1 a total war? ›

“Total war” includes four things: Mobilization, refusal to compromise, the blurring of roles between soldier and civilians, and total control of society. In many ways World War I was total war. There had never been a war that was so widely devastating.

What were 4 main causes of WWI? ›

The immediate cause of World War I that made the aforementioned items come into play (alliances, imperialism, militarism, nationalism) was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

What are five causes of World War One? ›

War is caused by many different things, including competition over land, religious conflicts, and nationalism. Imperialism, racism, and slavery have also been causes of armed conflict.

What were the three factors that led to the United States to go to war with Britain? ›

In June 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain in reaction to three issues: the British economic blockade of France, the induction of thousands of neutral American seamen into the British Royal Navy against their will, and the British support of Native American tribes along the Great Lakes frontier.

What factors led the United States to enter World War 1 despite the desire of so many Americans including the president to stay out of the war? ›

What factors led the United States to enter World War 1, despite the desire of so many Americans, including the president, to stay out of the war? The factors that led the U.S. to enter WW1 were the resuming of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the Zimmermann telegram.

What events led to the United States joining WWI quizlet? ›

Americans entered the war in 1917 by declaring war on Germany. This was due to the attack on Lusitania, the unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships heading to Britain, and Germany encouraging Mexico to attack the USA.

What were 4 impacts of World War 1? ›

The First World War destroyed empires, created numerous new nation-states, encouraged independence movements in Europe's colonies, forced the United States to become a world power and led directly to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler.

What impact did World War 1 have on the US economy explain? ›

The economy was mired in recession in 1914 and war quickly opened up new markets for American manufacturers. In the end, World War I set off a 44-month period of growth for the United States and solidified its power in the world economy.

What was World War 1 and their impact? ›

Social Consequences: World war changed society completely. Birth rates declined because millions of young men died (eight million died, millions wounded, maimed, widows and orphans). Civilians lost their land and fled to other countries. The role of women also changed.

What impact did the war have on America? ›

As millions of men and women entered the service and production boomed, unemployment virtually disappeared. The need for labor opened up new opportunities for women and African Americans and other minorities. Millions of Americans left home to take jobs in war plants that sprang up around the nation.

What are some important things that happened in ww1? ›

Timeline
  • June 28, 1914. Archduke Francis Ferdinand is assassinated.
  • July 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, beginning World War I.
  • August 2-7, 1914. Germany invades Luxembourg and Belgium. ...
  • August 10, 1914. Austria-Hungary invades Russia.
  • September 9, 1914. ...
  • February 18, 1915. ...
  • April 25, 1915. ...
  • May 7, 1915.

What were 2 impacts of World War 1? ›

The First World War destroyed empires, created numerous new nation-states, encouraged independence movements in Europe's colonies, forced the United States to become a world power and led directly to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler.

What were 2 major effects of WW1? ›

A: It changed the world. It led to the Russian Revolution, the collapse of the German Empire and the collapse of the Hapsburg Monarchy, and it led to the restructuring of the political order in Europe and in other parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East.

What factors led the US to enter WW1 quizlet? ›

Americans entered the war in 1917 by declaring war on Germany. This was due to the attack on Lusitania, the unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships heading to Britain, and Germany encouraging Mexico to attack the USA.

What was the result and impact of World War 1? ›

World War I was one of the great watersheds of 20th-century geopolitical history. It led to the fall of four great imperial dynasties (in Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey), resulted in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and, in its destabilization of European society, laid the groundwork for World War II.

What were the lasting effects of World War 1 quizlet? ›

The five consequences of World War I is that it brought ruin and destruction to Europe, European economies collapsed, Europe lost almost an entire generation of young men, nationalism surged in the colonial empires, and conflicts from the Treaty of Versailles were unresolved.

What were 3 positive effects of WW1? ›

Chudnofsky points out that disease awareness and prevention leaped forward during WWI, first to heal soldiers and later for civilians. Medical advances included screening for tuberculosis, treatment for tetanus, vaccines for typhoid, prevention of venereal disease and disinfection for surgery.

What caused World War 1 and why did the United States enter the war quizlet? ›

WWI was caused by many things, among them was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand leading to the Austria-Hungary empire declaring war on Serbia which dragged most of Europe into the war due to alliances. The U.S. entered the war due to Germanys war tactics and the Zimmermann note.

What was World War 1 influenced by? ›

Imperialism, nationalistic pride and mutual alliances all played a part in building tensions that would erupt into war. World War I, which lasted from 1914 until 1918, introduced the world to the horrors of trench warfare and lethal new technologies such as poison gas and tanks.

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