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Decoded Zimmermann Telegram sets U.S. on path to war.

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Zimmermann Telegram          (January 16, 1917) 

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Zimmermann Telegram          (January 16, 1917) 

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As Germany’s imperialistic desires were constantly blooming, the German Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmermann sent a secret telegram to the Resident Minister of the German Empire in Mexico, which was deciphered by British cryptographers on January 16, 1917—urging the Mexicans to amalgamate with them in waging a war on the US, and offering them the return of their territories, lost during the Mexican American war. Therefore, the decoded telegram aroused fury among the Americans as the real sinister intentions of the Germans were divulged, hence threatening the US that they would acquire their possessions and cause massive ferocity, destruction, and bloodshed.

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Wilson delivering a speech in Congress, trying to convince them for waging war.

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President Woodrow Wilson's speech before Congress, on April 2, 1917 (Germany disrupted peace)

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President Woodrow Wilson's speech before Congress, on April 2, 1917 (Germany disrupted peace)

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At first, Woodrow Wilson wanted the United States to remain an isolationist and neutral country to avoid the disruption of order and play the part of an arbitrator and counselor of peace. However, the series of events such as the sinking of the Lusitania ship (killing 128 Americans), Zimmermann telegram, and Germany's announcement of unrestricted submarine warfare changed the thoughts of Wilson, thus making it difficult for the US to remain impartial. On April 2, 1917, Woodrow Wilson expatiated a speech in a Congressional gathering, persuading Congress to declare war on Germans. He elucidated that Germany was breaching peace across the world and was fighting against mankind, thus neutrality was no longer viable and they would fight the war without any selfish intentions of gaining dominance over other nations. Moreover, he delineated that the steps taken by the German government were nothing less than declaring war against the US, therefore they should fight for securing the rights of mankind.

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In this undated photo, US infantrymen advance on the St. Mihiel front. 

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On April 6, 1917, the US declared war on Germany after more than three years of bloodshed for the Allies. The renowned Harlem Hellfighters were the first to enter the war on the frontlines under French leadership. As the Americans began to transfer more troops across the Atlantic, Germany was eager to win before the rest of its forces arrived. Russia was unable to maintain its war effort while the Bolshevik Revolution was underway. German soldiers were liberated in the east due to the breakup of Russian forces, and the Central Powers' strength increased on the western front. The goal of "Kaiser's battle" was to take Paris and put an end to the conflict. That strategy failed, and the Allies were able to win thanks to the additional US forces.

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Selective Service Draft Law registration poster, 1917

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The Selective Service Act (May 18, 1917)

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The Selective Service Act (May 18, 1917)

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In the efforts of mobilizing for the war and building a large military, Congress passed the Selective Service Act on May 18, 1917, resulting in permitting the Federal Government to temporarily augment the military through conscription. All men between the ages of 21 and 45 were eventually obliged to register for military service under the act. Therefore, as a result of this act, by the end of 1918, 24 million males registered for the draft, approximately 2.8 million men were selected and 2 million men volunteered out of the total number of American soldiers to reach Europe and fight diligently and fearlessly in the battles. Nevertheless, this Act helped in boosting up the strength of the United States against the Central Powers as it provided an enormous military force, helping in achieving victory over the enemies.

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Women raising voices for the ones imprisoned for free speech according to the Espionage Act. 

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The Espionage Act of 1917 restricted gathering knowledge, images, or duplicating details about the country's security or other crucial and private national information, with the purpose of being used for treason purposes through supporting the rival nations. Anyone who prevents someone from joining the military or creates insubordination or disloyalty in the military or naval services faces criminal penalties under the law. Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson instructed local postmasters to report any questionable items after the Wilson administration decided that any printed materials "urging treason" or otherwise breaking the law were "nonmailable matters." Burleson spearheaded the charge in vigorously executing the Espionage Act of 1917 together with Attorney General Thomas Watt Gregory.

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American troops take defensive positions in a wrecked building in Cantigny, France in 1918.

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The Americans started an onslaught against Cantigny, further north on the Western Front, on May 28, 1918, a day after the French allies suffered a shattering setback on the Aisne River. The German-held settlement was swiftly overrun, and 100 prisoners were taken. In spite of suffering considerable losses, including 200 soldiers dead and an additional 200 left unconscious by German gas attacks, the Americans at Cantigny repelled seven German counterattacks within the period of 72 hours while maintaining possession of the village. However, the victory of US forces was the first significant and offensive American conflict of World War 1 that prevented the Germans from gaining a crucial vantage point for their men on the Western Front. Moreover, it supported Pershing's position that an autonomous US command should be kept separate from the united Allied command.  Last but not the least, it warned the German forces that even though the United States entered the war late, their army’s tenacity and spirit must not be miscalculated.

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By the end of August, there were over 1.4 million American troops in France. The arrival of these fresh troops, enabled the Allies to continue fighting. 

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From Amiens to Armistice: The Hundred Days Offensive (August 8-November 11, 1918)  

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From Amiens to Armistice: The Hundred Days Offensive (August 8-November 11, 1918)  

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At the end of August, 1.4 million American military soldiers were present in the European country, France. Despite the massive number of casualties during the German Spring Offensive, the Allies managed to accomplish victory in the battle due to the helping hand extended by the freshly arrived American forces. The American attack from 12 to 15 September on Str. Mihiel was the first ever US attack during the great World War 1. This achievement suppressed the strength of German forces to a certain extent and also established the American army as a daunting and courageous for, thus boosting its unity. This triumph further resulted in American army motivation leading to aiding Marshal Foch's ambitious attack in the Battles of Meuse-Argonne. Therefore, the mettle and fearless fighting shown by the American forces during this battle made it one of the greatest contributions of the US military in the four-year prolonged, World War 1.

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The Schenck v. United States case was started due to an eminent socialist, Charles Schenk who was charged with the infringement of the Espionage Act of 1917. The cause of this charge was the circulation of pamphlets among Americans, denouncing the actions of the US government by declaring that the recruitment of citizens in the military led to involuntary servitude. However, the opinion of the Supreme Court, written by Justice Holmes, stated that the Espionage Act did not contravene the First Amendment, as the nature of every act depends on the circumstances and the context influences the limits on free speech. Therefore, the Supreme Court introduced the “clear and present danger” to ascertain when a state could control a person’s freedom of speech under the First Amendment and declared that it is not limitless. Furthermore, it upheld the Espionage Act and asserted Schenk’s conviction, interpreting his flyers as an act that could lead to national disobedience or indiscipline, resulting in the creation of a clear and present danger, thus opening the doors towards insubordination.

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“England, France and Italy are Getting a Start for World Peace and World Trade, by Accepting the League of Nations while Uncle Sam is Held Back by the Senate.” 

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Lodge's assault against Wilson and Senate's disapproval of League of Nations. (1919)

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Lodge's assault against Wilson and Senate's disapproval of League of Nations. (1919)

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Wilson returned to the United States in February 1919 to reassure the Senate about the progress of the Treaty of Versailles and to get their support for the notion of establishing the League of Nations. During the same month, as a result of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts' attack on President Woodrow Wilson's attempt to establish the League of Nations, the Senate eventually rejected the Treaty of Versailles. The Senate was enraged over the League of Nations because it was stripping the Congress of constitutional power, as the Congress had the authority over war-related decisions, however, now the League of Nations was formed for this purpose, thus reducing the power of the Senate. Lodge took a proposal with 14 objections to the Senate floor in November in reaction to Wilson's continued reluctance to participate in discussions. For the first time in the history of the United States, the Senate rejected a peace accord on November 19, 1919.

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The Palais des Nations in Geneva Switzerland headquarters of the League of Nations. 

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Formation of League of Nations (January 10, 1920) 

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Formation of League of Nations (January 10, 1920) 

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President Wilson compromised his 14 points in order to obtain European leaders' support for the establishment of the League of Nations, to maintain international peace, and to safeguard a nation's territorial and political independence.
Many of Wilson's points, such as freedom of the seas, open commerce, and reasonable and impartial settlements of colonial claims, were ignored by the Treaty of Versailles. It did, however, advocate for the foundation of the League of Nations, with the intention of paving the way for peaceful discussions and preventing war-like scenarios. Thus, on January 10, 1920, the League of Nations was established, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and without the participation of the United States. This organization's goal was to promote international cooperation and peace by decreasing nations' weapons, assuring countries' security by offering a helping hand against the danger of attack, and resolving conflicts between countries via peace negotiations. Nevertheless, these points were put forward to avert war-like situations and end quarrels among nations and it was not confined to a few countries.