Question

world war 1 was the first time that the u.s. declared war as a world power. 2 causes 0f ww1and explain why they were considered causes of u.s. joining war.

Answer 1

In 1917, around two and half years to the start of WW-I, USA decided to enter the war from the side of the Allies. The main reasons could be attributed as economic reasons as prior to its participation USA was a neutral state.

Two causes of USA joining the war -

1. German attack on US ships - In response to the naval blockade by the British Royal Navy, the Germans decided to put forth their own blockade against Britain. They did this by destroying ships coming in and going out of the British harbours using the U-boat submarines. This led to sinking of many US ships without warning and causing USA both casualties and economic losses. Due to this, the United States warned that Germany respect the international agreements upon "freedom of the seas", which protected neutral American ships on the high seas from seizure or sinking. Subsequntly, the Americans stated that the drowning of innocent civilians was inhuman and formed the grounds for declaration of war.

2. Zimmerman Telegram - In 1917, the British intelligence intercepted a secret offer by the Germans to Mexico. This offer was was about helping Mexico to regain the territories lost in the Mexican-American war. The revelation of this offer led to an outrage in in America and finally the Congress voted to declare a war on the Germans.