USA HISTORY

During his reelection campaign in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson used the slogan, “He kept us out of war.” In April of 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. What helped bring about this change?

(A) Bolshevik forces increased their strength in Italy and Germany

(B) Britain was invaded by countries from the Central Powers

(C) Russia signed a treaty of alliance with the Central Powers

(D) ** Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and sunk the Lusitania

Concept note-1: -Wilson cited Germany’s violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance against the United States, as his reasons for declaring war.

Concept note-2: -By virtue of this legislation and the slogan “he kept us out of war, ” Wilson narrowly won re-election. But after the election Wilson concluded that America could not remain neutral in the World War.

Concept note-3: -His neutral stance and lack of involvement in foreign matters have been attributed to his religious upbringing and academic background. A devout Christian, Wilson did not believe God was calling him to enter World War I, so he attempted to keep the United States out of the conflict.

Concept note-4: -On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson delivered this address to a joint session of Congress and called for a declaration of war against Germany. The resulting congressional vote brought the United States into World War I.