Woodrow Wilson War Message Analysis

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the twenty-eighth President of the United States and served in this position from 1913 to 1921. During this time it was difficult to be a President, Ambassador, or Dictator. It was the beginning of World War I and all the countries involved wanted to test their new weapons on people and to increase the area in which they ran supreme. Germany was a major power and utilized U-Boats to sink every ship approaching either the Great Britain or Ireland ports to gain even more power in the war. This was a turning point for the United States, a moment in which it was inevitable they would enter the war. Wilson went to Congress to give a speech declaring war on the Imperial German Government, a speech now known as “War Message.”
Wilson delivered “War Message” to the people of Congress, and it was later released to the people of the nation. Wilson was attempting to establish a confident relationship with and persuade Congress to declare war on the German Empire, who was disregarding the rules set forth, prohibiting the Germans’ sinking

of the vessels in the ports of Britain and Ireland. Wilson was angered and furious, and he wanted Germany to face repercussions and the wrath of our nation for ultimately lying about their loyalties and actions.
The message that Wilson was giving was clear from beginning to end.

He uses a tone of anger and sophistication when addressing Congress. Wilson gave the necessary information, saying this about the Imperial Government: “Promise then given to us that passenger boats should not be sunk and that due warning would be given to all other vessels which its submarines might seek to destroy, when no resistance was offered or escape attempted” (Wilson). This allows for Congress to address the altercation. “War Message” is a speech with little repetition. One thing, however, that is repeated throughout the whole speech is a strong recommendation to address Germany and their actions of sinking the cargo and passenger ships entering and exiting Britain’s and Ireland’s ports. “Bring the Government of the German Empire to terms” (Wilson) is used multiple times throughout the essay, serving to restate the problem at

hand.
A major point in the speech that Wilson addresses is the full mobilization of war materials. “It will involve the organization and mobilization of all the material resources of the country to supply the materials of war and serve the incidental needs of the nation in the most abundant and yet the most economical and efficient way possible.” (Wilson) This phrase pushed the mass production of foods and goods coming from farms and factories causing more jobs, a beneficial repercussion.
“War Message” has long sentences separated with commas adjoining them. The speech has forty-three paragraphs with somewhat ninety-one sentences. This verbalizes that he must be using around two sentences to a paragraph. This is appropriate because the whole paragraph would be one clause and couldn’t be depended by itself. Wilson uses a wide variety of words making certain points have more emphasis.
This speech happened because of Germany increasing its war effort in 1917, as it announced that German U-boats would act aggressively on any ships around Europe no matter what the individual’s objective was. Wilson ended diplomatic relations with the Imperial Germany soon after the announcement. He did not want war for money or land but to maintain a diplomatic peace throughout Europe. (Notes)
“War Message” was a well-rounded speech from sentence structure and its necessity to the attitude and tone. Wilson had a strong opener catching the attention of his audience with a very anger and sophisticated tone.