Michael S. Neiberg - Why the US Entered the First World War and Why it Matters

The speaker begins by welcoming the audience to the National Security Seminar at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He mentions the lecture will be recorded and shared on the Army War College's YouTube channel. The main topic is America's entry into World War I in 1917, a subject he believes historians have not researched adequately. The focus is on dispelling myths about the war, particularly the role of President Woodrow Wilson, and instead using the perspective of Walter Hines Page, a North Carolina newspaperman and Wilson's ambassador to Great Britain, to tell the story. The lecturer aims to show that the reasons for entering the war were more complex and less tied to Wilson than commonly believed.

This paragraph discusses the American media's coverage of World War I and the public's perception of the war. It highlights the role of famous war correspondents like Richard Harding Davis and Mary Roberts Rinehart, who reported from the front lines, influencing American sentiment in favor of the Allies. The speaker also touches on the pro-British and pro-French sympathies of the American public, even among those of German or Irish descent. The narrative emphasizes the significance of the sinking of the Lusitania and its impact on American public opinion, leading to discussions about preparedness and the potential need for the U.S. to get involved in the war.

The speaker describes the transformation in American attitudes from isolationism to a recognition of the war's impact on U.S. interests. He details the various incidents that contributed to this shift, including German sabotage in the U.S., the Armenian Genocide, and the fear of German aggression in the Americas. The paragraph also covers the preparedness movement that emerged in the U.S., advocating for a stronger military to protect American interests. The speaker further explores the economic boom the U.S. experienced during the war, leading to a complex moral issue for Americans who were profiting from the conflict while sympathizing with the Allies.

This section delves into the impact of the sinking of the Lusitania on American involvement in WWI. It outlines the different responses from American leaders, ranging from Theodore Roosevelt's call for military action to William Jennings Bryan's push for isolation. President Wilson's middle-ground approach is also discussed, along with the internal U.S. debate on how to respond to German aggression, including the push for a 'preparedness' military buildup. The speaker highlights the efforts of American corporations and individuals in supporting the war effort, both financially and through voluntary military training programs.

The paragraph highlights the significant philanthropic efforts of Americans during WWI, with a focus on the substantial financial contributions made to the Allies. It discusses the activities of notable individuals like John Wanamaker and the formation of volunteer groups such as the Lafayette Escadrille, which was an American squadron flying for the French Air Force. The speaker also mentions the participation of Americans in the armies of Britain and France, and the economic and social dynamics at play within the U.S., including the complex position of ethnic American groups and the moral dilemmas faced by a nation profiting from the war while advocating for peace.

The speaker addresses the strategic fears within the U.S. regarding the potential geopolitical ramifications of remaining neutral in WWI. The focus is on the public and governmental reaction to the Zimmermann Telegram, a message from Germany proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S., which was intercepted by the British. This event, coupled with unrestricted submarine warfare and the Russian Revolution, contributed to a shift in American public opinion and political stance, eventually leading to the U.S. entry into the war. The paragraph also explores the fear of German influence in Mexico and Japan, and how these concerns influenced the U.S. decision to participate in the war.

This paragraph explores the Mexican government's official response to the Zimmermann Telegram, which was to publicly renounce any association with the proposed German alliance. The speaker suggests that Mexico, embroiled in its own civil war, aimed to avoid further conflict with the U.S. and hoped that U.S. involvement in Europe would distract from its domestic issues. The paragraph touches on the broader geopolitical context, including the U.S.'s historical intervention in Mexican affairs and the complex relationship between the two nations during this period.

The speaker concludes with a discussion on the lessons that can be drawn from America's experience in WWI for its current national security posture. He suggests that the American public is more likely to support a war when they perceive it as affecting their national interests or their communities directly. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of understanding societal dynamics from the 'bottom-up' rather than through a top-down elite perspective. He touches on the historical debate between international cooperation and isolationism, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these contrasting viewpoints in shaping U.S. policy towards international organizations and alliances.