United States Declares War on Germany

American neutrality had already survived repeated crises at sea. After the attack on the Sussex in 1916, Wilson threatened to break relations unless Germany restricted submarine attacks and protected passengers and crews. Berlin accepted a pledge, then reversed course in January 1917. German military leaders believed unrestricted submarine warfare could defeat Britain before American intervention became decisive, despite warnings that it would bring the United States into the war. [1]

Woodrow Wilson went before Congress on 2 April 1917 to ask for war against Germany. Four days later, Congress declared it and the president issued his proclamation, ending the neutrality the United States had maintained since the European war began. [2] [3]

Germany’s decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare had brought the dispute to a breaking point. Beginning in February, its submarines would attack shipping in designated waters without the safeguards Washington demanded for neutral vessels and their crews. Wilson broke diplomatic relations on 3 February; news of the Zimmermann telegram, in which Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico if America entered the war, deepened the confrontation. [2]

Wilson presented the war as a struggle against the imperial government’s conduct, distinguishing it from hostility toward the German people. His proclamation called for the country’s military and civilian resources to support the war. Formal diplomatic relations would not resume until 1921. [2] [3] [4]

German ambassador Bernstorff delivered notice of renewed unrestricted submarine warfare to Secretary of State Robert Lansing on 31 January. Wilson broke relations three days later but initially stopped short of requesting war. [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Johann Heinrich von Bernstorff [5] [6]

Related Reading

• Germany and the United States