Date : 1917-April-02
Country/Region : United States of America (USA)
On April 2, 1917, United States President Woodrow Wilson delivered a speech to Congress and asked them to declare war on Germany. He requested this due to a series of incidents that strained US-German relations during World War I.
At the beginning of the war, the United States maintained a neutrality policy. However, Germany targeted American and other neutral ships through their submarine attacks and it led to increased tensions of the United States. In 1915, the loss of American lives was a result of the sinking of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania. This incident further affected to US-German relations adversely.
Wilson indicated several justifications for American intervention and emphasized the requirement to make the world "safe for democracy" during his speech. Further, he expressed that Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine attacks in 1917, which violated international laws was a direct threat to America. In addition to that, Wilson highlighted Germany's attempt to form an alliance with Mexico, known as the Zimmermann Telegram. According to this, if the United States entered the war, Mexico would support Germany. This disclosure further increased public opinion in favor of intervention.
On April 6, 1917, Congress responded to Wilson's speech by passing a resolution to declare war on Germany. The intervention of the United States in World War I marked a significant turning point in world history.
Category : Politics
1903 Innovation of the aeroplane
1932 Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City
2018 WHO officially announced it will categorize gaming addiction as a mental health condition
1814 Innovation of the steam locomotive (engine)
1901 Guglielmo Marconi sent and received the first wireless message across the Atlantic Ocean
1876 Innovation of the telephone
1926 John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of a live television system
1994 The implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement
1990 Panamanian dictator Noriega surrendered to the United States
1963 President John F. Kennedy signed the United States Equal Pay Act into law
1994 Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black president of South Africa
1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states
1836 Spain recognized the independence of Mexico by signing the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty
1956 Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars broke two decades' world record for 100m freestyle
Copyright © OnThatDay.net. All rights reserved.
Devoloped by On That Day.