Why the US Should Not Have Joined the Great War
In the early 1900's, Europe went into a great war due to the MAIN causes of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. The United States managed to stay out of the war and remained neutral for three years all the while selling weaponry to both sides of the war. But with the sinking of the RMS Lusitania and the interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, the American public began calling for war. Articles such as “Draw the Sword of Liberty” evoked a sense of anger and called for the US government to declare war on Germany. Finally, on April 6, 1917, Congress approved the declaration of war. However, the US joining the war was unnecessary as the war declaration came two years late of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, it went against what the Founding Fathers told us to do, put the economy in jeopardy, and ended the Progressive Era Reforms that was going through America.
The United States joining the Great War was a mistake because it goes against what George Washington told America to do in his Farewell Address in 1796. George Washington told the newly formed nation at the time to stay out of foreign affairs and avoid permanent alliances. He told the US to take advantage of its isolation from Europe and focus on itself only. Washington had a good reason to worry because every time the US gets involved with Europe, it always ends up hurting America. In the Seven Years' War, the US (colonies at the time) reluctantly helped Great Britain to fight the French after William Pitt promised America that they would not have to pay the debt afterwards, but that led to the America Revolution. The War of 1812 was started by the impressments of the British Royal Navy. America declared war on Spain in the Spanish-American War to help Cuba and other Spanish territories gain its independence, but that led to the Philippines rebelling against US and the Philippines-American War. All of these involvements with Europe had...