Woodrow Wilson Goes to War
On April 2, 1917 (94 years ago today) President Woodrow Wilson spoke in Congress and asked for a declaration of war against Germany, leading to the US entry into the first world war.
Wilson delivered his War Message to Congress on the evening of April 2nd He was introduced to great applause. He announced that his previous position of "armed neutrality" was no longer tenable now that the Imperial German Government had announced that it would use its submarines to sink any vessel approaching the ports of Great Britain, Ireland or any of the Western Coasts of Europe. He advised Congress to declare that the recent course of action taken by the Imperial German Government constituted an act of war. He stated that the United States would "vindicate principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power".
Wilson also charged that Germany had "filled our unsuspecting communities and even our offices of government with spies and set criminal intrigues everywhere afoot against our national unity of counsel, our peace within and without our industries and our commerce". He told Congress that his government had intercepted a telegram sent to the German ambassador in Mexico City that uncovered a plot in which Germany attempted to instigate a Mexican attack upon the U.S.
Wilson told Congress that Germany "means to stir up enemies against us at our very doors". Wilson closed with the statement that the world must be again safe for democracy.
The declaration of war by the United States against Germany was passed by the Congress on April 4, 1917. Fifty representatives and 6 senators voted against the motion. The declaration of war was approved by the President on April 6, 1917.
Wilson delivered his War Message to Congress on the evening of April 2nd He was introduced to great applause. He announced that his previous position of "armed neutrality" was no longer tenable now that the Imperial German Government had announced that it would use its submarines to sink any vessel approaching the ports of Great Britain, Ireland or any of the Western Coasts of Europe. He advised Congress to declare that the recent course of action taken by the Imperial German Government constituted an act of war. He stated that the United States would "vindicate principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power".
Wilson also charged that Germany had "filled our unsuspecting communities and even our offices of government with spies and set criminal intrigues everywhere afoot against our national unity of counsel, our peace within and without our industries and our commerce". He told Congress that his government had intercepted a telegram sent to the German ambassador in Mexico City that uncovered a plot in which Germany attempted to instigate a Mexican attack upon the U.S.
Wilson told Congress that Germany "means to stir up enemies against us at our very doors". Wilson closed with the statement that the world must be again safe for democracy.
The declaration of war by the United States against Germany was passed by the Congress on April 4, 1917. Fifty representatives and 6 senators voted against the motion. The declaration of war was approved by the President on April 6, 1917.