American Imperialism and the Road to World War I

Assignment Brief

American imperialism began in 1898 with the Spanish-American War and Teddy Roosevelt`s policy of `police power` over the Western Hemisphere. These actions seem to have prepared us for the war in Europe. Write an essay on the events leading up to World War I and the events that forced us to join the war. Make sure you include the role of President Wilson in the war and peace negotiations. Be sure to include the following:

• Lusitania,

• Zimmerman Note,

• Russian Revolution,

• The Fourteen Points,

• Treaty of Versailles,

• War Debts and Reparations

This meets objectives 1-5.

Sample Answer

American Imperialism and the Road to World War I

The end of the 19th century marked a turning point in the history of the United States. The country shifted from a policy of relative isolation to one of active engagement and expansion on the global stage. American imperialism began in 1898 with the Spanish-American War, which established the United States as a world power. This new sense of authority, strengthened by President Theodore Roosevelt’s idea of the United States acting as a “police power” in the Western Hemisphere, prepared the nation for a larger role in world affairs. These developments set the stage for America’s eventual entry into the First World War, a conflict that transformed both the United States and the global order.

American Imperialism and Expansionism

The Spanish-American War in 1898 was the spark that ignited America’s imperial ambitions. The war began as a campaign to support Cuban independence from Spain but quickly revealed broader goals. When the United States defeated Spain, it gained control of former Spanish territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This victory signified the nation’s rise as a colonial power and marked a clear shift from isolationism to imperialism.

President Theodore Roosevelt expanded this approach with his Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which asserted the United States’ right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and order. Roosevelt described this as America’s “police power” over the Western Hemisphere. Through this policy, the United States began asserting control over the political and economic affairs of its neighbours, often to protect American business interests. This growing involvement in international matters created the foundation for America’s eventual participation in global conflicts.

The Outbreak of World War I

World War I broke out in Europe in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. Although the immediate cause was regional, the war quickly expanded due to a web of alliances and rivalries among European powers. The conflict divided Europe into two main alliances: the Allied Powers (including Britain, France, and Russia) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire).

Initially, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the United States would remain neutral, reflecting the traditional American desire to avoid entanglement in European wars. Many Americans supported neutrality, believing the conflict to be a distant European affair. However, as the war progressed, events unfolded that made neutrality increasingly difficult to maintain.

The Sinking of the Lusitania

One of the key events that shifted American opinion toward involvement in the war was the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. On 7 May 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the British ocean liner off the coast of Ireland, killing nearly 1,200 people, including 128 Americans. Germany justified the attack by claiming that the ship was carrying munitions, but the loss of civilian lives caused outrage in the United States.

President Wilson responded with diplomatic protests, warning Germany that further unrestricted submarine warfare would not be tolerated. For a time, Germany halted such attacks, but the incident planted deep resentment in the American public and began to erode support for neutrality. The sinking of the Lusitania symbolised the growing threat posed by German aggression and marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy.

Continued...