America\\s Entry into WWI Essays - International Relations Theory

Woodrow Wilson was known for keeping America out of war during his first year of presidency. This gained America?s support and allowed him into getting reelected in 1916. Throughout his second term, the war in Europe showed no signs of compromise and due to threats by Germany, the United States could no longer remain neutral. In this paper, I will argue that President Woodrow Wilson made an argument for America to join the war by characterizing the German government as evil and America as peacemakers. His vision for the future of America was cohesive, which established a clear plan that eliminated the ambiguity of America?s entry into war. Through his discourse of repetitive words, he simplified his plans for the war against Germany to amplify American support. With his choice of rhetorical strategies, he persuaded Americans to join the war in Europe. President Wilson adopted a policy of neutrality and isolation during his first term. As a president seeking re-election in 1916, he had to keep the United States neutral and help bring the war to a conclusion. Many Americans supported isolation because the United States was not threatened by the war and merchants were still able to export over seas. The British and the Germans saw the threat Americans were imposing by being able to export. On May 7th, 1915, Germany sunk the Lusitania that had American passengers on board. After the submarine warfare, Wilson was still determined to continue the United States on a neutral course. Over time, several factors enforced Wilson to change his mind on remaining neutral. Germany threatened America?s peace by sending an encoded telegram to Mexico, known as The Zimmerman note. It stated that if Mexico invaded the United States they would get back some of their land. This produced a growing realization that the Germans would not exercise restraint but were relentlessly motivated upon sinking American boats without warning. These events were the substantial evidence Wilson needed to gain America?s support for his decision to join the Allied Powers. Wilson?s War Message on April 2, 1917 was presented to congress and America for declaration of war on Germany. Congress complied with Wilson?s request and the United States entered World War One on April 6, 1917. After a brief period of ?armed neutrality,? Wilson ended the ambiguity surrounding American policy. He went before Congress to call for a declaration of war. Wilson used dramatic simplification by characterizing the German government as an enemy and America as peaceful. This simplification allowed Americans to easily understand why Wilson wanted to enter the war. He stated, ?It is war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind.? This amplified that Germany was the enemy, not only to America but also to the world. It also provided reasoning for why staying neutral would not be conducive to America?s fundamental belief on liberty. He made it clear that we were going to fight the German government by arguing that autocracies represent a threat to the peace and justice of America?s democracy. Furthermore, he explained, ?Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved and the freedom of its peoples, and the menace to that peace and freedom lies in the existence of autocratic governments.? This idea that the war was between autocracy and democracy, strengthen the enemy image of Germany because autocracy government does not fit America?s ideal government system. By demonstrating America as the peacemakers, it successfully established that America was the hero, and Germany was the ?menace.? By contrasting Germany and America as evil versus good, he offered America no other alternatives other than to join the war. Wilson needed to gain America?s support after being neutral for three years. He did this by creating a clear plan for America?s future, ?Let us be very clear, and make vey clear to all the world what our motives and our objects are.? Wilson constructed