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United States Declares Neutrality
After the outbreak of the war many people worried that the United States would some how get sucked up into the comossion, risking their calm way of life. Although most people living in the United States were either born in Europe or were first generation citizens, they all knew what war meant and most definitely wanted to stay away from it.On this day, President Wilson came to the peop -
Fourteen points
The basis for peace negotiations toward the end of WWI. President Wilson describes it as the path to permanent peace in the world. Although the 14 Points were adopted by the League of Nations, the United States congress voted against having the United States join the League of Nations. -
Murder Strikes
In an event considered to be the spark of World War One. On June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated. He was the nephew of the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor. The heir to the throne was shot and killed along with his wife by a national Serbian in Bosnia, who was a member of the Black Hand. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
This was one of the biggest known reasons why the United States joined the war. The ship was considered British property. The Germans torpedoed the ship- killing 128 Americans who were aboard The Lusitania. -
Woodrow gets remarried
On this day, almost one century ago, Woodrow Wilson married Edith Galt. A widow of a rich jewelry store owner, and a direct descendant from Pocahontas. She was nothing like his first wife, who was shy and avoided the subject of politics, instead the new First Lady was passionate about the subject. Only three months after being introduced by a cousin/mutual friend, President Wilson proposed. Members of his cabinet worried that it would become a political liability, but by his second inauguration -
Open Warning
When the war first began, President Wilson openly stated that the United States would stay neutral in the war. Most people were happy with the President’s decision of steering clear of the war, although most of them were born in Europe or were descendants of Europeans. As war progressed Woodrow openly warned Germany to stop unrestricted warfare OR ELSE. People began to think of war as a serious option, as the United States was suffering in more than one way because of a war happening across the -
Woodrow Wilson re-elected
Woodrow Wilson was re-elected president of the United States. The slogan he used for his campaign was “he keeps us out of war”. A little bit ironic being that a few months later the United States would join the war, in an effort to ‘keep the world safe for democracy’. -
Christmas Truce
During WW1, on Christmas Day, the sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding ceased, as the soldiers declared truce. In some places the truce lasted only a couple hours and in other places along the trenches the truce lasted many weeks, which goes to show how selfish war is. -
Wilson calls peace without Victory
Frustrated in his efforts to keep the United States out of the war. President Wilson becomes convinced that both sides of the war must drop all hostility they have toward each other. Sadly, the U.S. was kind of a nobody and no one really listenend to them. -
Woodrow Wilson asks for permission to declare war
As American law states, the President must pass the idea of war through congress. On this day, President Wilson comes before congress with best intentions at hand, intending to join the war. His biggest argument being that the world must be made safe for democracy. -
Congress Declares War
Congress declared war against Germany, joining WWI alongside The Allies. There are many speculations as to why the United States joined the war, the more commonly accepted on is that the U.S. joined the war because of the sinking of the Lusitania. Some people also believe that they joined because the Triple Entete tried to get Mexico to join the war on their side. That was kind of like the last straw. -
Food Administration is passed
Under Herbert Hoover’s command the United States begins the Food Administration Act is passed. The Food Administration Act is an act put in place in order to be able to send the troops a sufficient amount of food and water. The administration’s goal was the converse as much food as possible and boost agricultural output. -
Selective Act is passed
Congress passes the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft. Although criticized for destroying democracy at home while fighting for it abroad, President Wilson claims he sees no other option and signs the bill into law. By the end of the war over 3,000,000 had been drafted. -
U.S. sends troops
President Wilson decided to send troops to France on this day. It is said that the troops sent weren't well-equiped or trained. Acordding to some shady websites, the U.S. had to be trained by the French before going in to combat on. -
Germans request Armistice
President Woodrow Wilson receives a request from the German government, sent via the Swiss, asking for armistice discussions on the basis of his Fourteen Points. The Germans have bypassed the French and British in the hope of negotiating with Wilson who they perceive as more lenient. They are disappointed, however, when Wilson responds with a list of demands as a prelude to discussions including German withdrawal from all occupied territories and a total halt of U-Boat attacks.
