![]() Meanwhile the country’s business elite couldn’t fail to be swayed by the fact that U.S. ![]() While it remains difficult to fully grasp the breakdown of American public opinion at the time, it’s clear that a large number of Americans still opposed entry into the war – as reflected in the success of Wilson’s reelection slogan, “He Kept Us Out of War,” which helped win him a second term just a few months before.īut the balance was turning – albeit gradually and reluctantly – in favor of war, as every fresh submarine “outrage” on the high seas brought new American casualties, not least the young nation’s prickly sense of pride, especially sensitive where arrogant European powers were concerned. Perhaps more importantly, in an age before regular opinion polls Wilson needed time to gauge the public mood, for example gleaning clues from newspaper reporting and opinion pages, as well as conversations with businessmen and other public figures, members of Congress and his own cabinet. At a personal level, as Secretary of State Robert Lansing often complained in private, the cerebral, pacifically-inclined commander-in-chief was quite comfortable discussing sweeping principles and grand ideals, but found it much harder to take decisive action, especially when it involved putting Americans in harm’s way. Wilson dragged his feet for a number of reasons. Even the sinking of a number of American steamers in February 1917, an “overt act” of German hostility, seemed unable to move him. Or was it? As days passed, then weeks, it became apparent that Wilson had no intention of bringing the U.S. The expulsion of the German ambassador and his staff, and the recall of the American ambassador from Berlin, was the final step before a declaration of war it was only a matter of time. March 1, 1917: America Outraged by Zimmermann Telegramįollowing President Woodrow Wilson’s announcement on Februthat the United States was breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany over the resumption of unrestricted U-boat warfare, the Allies were understandably elated. ![]() This is the 268th installment in the series. Erik Sass is covering the events of the war exactly 100 years after they happened. ![]()
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