Why did the United States shift its position from neutrality to involvement in World War I?

Ben Orn

When(1914€“1918) broke out in Europe,
the United States planned to stay neutral.
Neutrality had long been a pillar
of American foreign policy.

In 1915, the
American position
started to change to favor the AlliesBritain and France. In that year, a

German submarine sank the Lusitania, a passenger ship, killing 1200
people,
including 128 Americans. The ship was, in fact, carrying ammunition.
In any case, Germany
promised to stop using submarines against passenger
ships because of the subsequent American
protest.

In 1917,
the British intercepted the Zimmermann Telegram. This was a
German message to
Mexico. In it, the Germans offered an alliance with Mexico if the Americans

joined the Allies. The message was published in the American press, and it heightened
pro-war
sentiment.

Also in 1917, a desperate and
hard-pressed Germany resumed
submarine warfare. This led directly to
America's declaration of war against Germany.

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