Americas entry into war helped the Allies win but also came with great economic benefits to the United States. The other countries were demolished and had damage that would take forever to rebuild. But America was one of the only countries like this that entered the war. America’s late entry caused them to have no destruction to their country but instead prosper. World War l was avoided by the United States because they did not want to pick sides and spend money but when benefits were being shown and encouragement was given it was unavoidable. It convinced America that was could not be avoided and they finally had to enter the war. It exploited the idea of putting Mexico in their territory and Americans were not okay with this. It put in their heads that “we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona” (Doc 4). Although this note may have been fake it still made people think of what could happen. Revelation of the contents outraged American public opinion and helped generate support for the United States declaration of war on Germany. The Zimmermann Telegram was a 1917 diplomatic proposal from the German Empire for Mexico to join the Central Powers, in the event of the United States entering World War I on the side of the Entente Powers. America knew that the benefits would outweigh the consequences. The increase in US exports made America an economic powerhouse which is why they went to war (Doc 2). Germany export decreased while Britain and France eport increased. As well as loans trading had a big effect when all ties were off with Germany. This is because “…Money is the worst of all contraband because it commands everything else…”(Doc 1). If America gave a loan out to any country immediately they would be picking sides. So when America got the chance to make money they did but it would mean they’d have to abandon neutrality. America would always be neutral except if it had a great benefit to the country as a whole like to make money. Not only did the rich benefit but a country as a whole benefited economically from being in the war. With going to war it kept the wealth wealthier and the poor dead and forgotten. Corruption from upper class Americans lead innocent men to war because of their own personal interests. However, conditions were unsanitary and food supplies limited. “The American multimillionaires…have profited more than all the rest…”(Doc 3). Many ended up in encampments called 'contraband camps' that were often near union army bases. So when hundreds of thousands died or were wounded in the first battle, they thought nothing of throwing more men, and more men, and more men.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |