Mini-DBQ on WWI
Document Based Question: World War I
Compare and contrast the suggested reasons the United States entered World War I.
Use the documents and your knowledge of the period to answer this question.
Document A
Source:
Press Publishing Company, Political Cartoon in the United States (1917)
Document B
Source: Notice to Americans from the Germany Embassy in Washington D.C. (1915)
NOTICE!
Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war
exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of
war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal
notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great
Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers
sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
Document C
American Political Cartoon, (likely dated April 2 1917)
Document D
A "Keep America Out of War" meeting at Carnegie Hall in New York City, The New
York Times (1935).
SENATOR GERALD P. NYE (R.-N.D.)
[The investigations of the Senate Munitions Committee have not been in vain;] truly
worthwhile legislation will be forthcoming to meet the frightful challenge.
Out of this year of study has come tremendous conviction that our American welfare
requires that great importance be given to the subject of our neutrality when others are at
war.
Let us be frank before the next war comes as Wilson was frank after the last war was
over. Let us know that it is sales and shipments of munitions and contraband, and the lure
of profits in them, that will get us into another war.
If Morgan and the other bankers must get into another war, let them do it by enlisting
in the Foreign Legion. That's always open.
SENATOR BENNETT CHAMP CLARK (D-Mo.)
In these resolutions [calling for neutrality legislation] we propose that American citizens
who want to profit from other people's war shall not be allowed again to entangle the
United States.
We appeal to you to lend your efforts to the creation of an overwhelming body of
public sentiment to bring about the firm establishment of that policy. The time for action
is due and past due.