Progressivism In Ww1 Essay

America's Impact On WWI Through Progressivism

Many Americans today have little or no understanding of what progressivism is and why it is so important to American history. Progressivism is a broadly based reform movement that reached its peak early in the 20th century, which sought ought ideas, impulses, and issues stemming from modernization of American society. It arose as a response to the vast changes brought by modernization such as the growth of large corporations, railroads, and fears of corruption in American politics. Little do people know is that America got involved in WWI not just because of German aggression toward the United States, but the mindset of Americans who believed that it was their duty to protect democracy and to eliminate modernization. In order to understand the overall effectiveness of progressivism it has to be explained why Americans wanted to intervene, what happened during the intervention , and what were the consequences.

First, The United States had no intentions of intervening in another country's problems because they saw no reason to make another countries problems one of their own. Once the United States realized that the allied powers were struggling they knew that in order to protect world democracy they would have to intervene. It was expected that a victorious Germany would be more aggressive and formidable against the United States1. One of the main reasons the United States intervened was because it wanted to protect the rights of smaller nations and end international militarism. Another reason is that progressives realized that the war provided an opportunity for reform at home and the triumph of a liberal international postwar order. Intervening meant that America had an opportun...

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...ccurred after World War I was the surge of nationalism in colonial powers which helped Germany become a strengthened country that would be ready for another war.3

That being the case, the United States entered World War I not because of Germany's aggression but for the opportunity to help protect the rights of smaller nations and end international militarism. The effectiveness of American intervention had both a positive and negative effects. The United States aided in winning the war and helping smaller nations gain independence . The nationalism surged in Germany helped create the cause of the second war. American intervention helped play a pivotal role in the future because of the impact that it had on World War I. America understands that the world can be a much safer place if they can get involved and help other countries create their own government.