U.S. Entering the War

• Germany declared unrestricted submarine warfare, meaning any ships travelling to the U.K. or France were fair game for attack

  • U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was furious, and declared that diplomatic relations with Germany were dead
• Germany sent the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico, but it was intercepted by the British. [Jan 1917]

  • Germany promises Mexico that it'll help Mexico reclaim territory that it lost in the 1800's during the Mexican-American War if it declares war against the United States
• [Feb. 24, 1917] - The British forwarded the Zimmerman Telegram to Congress, and the press carries the story a week later. The U.S. viewed the telegram as a threat to U.S. soverignty and as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine