Ww1 Interventionism

During World War I, American ideals and interests were first tested by other nations of the world. Interventionists ensured the safety of our civilians and economy by becoming ourselves a belligerent party in the war whose loans would boost the economy. Interventionists also secured our lands by engaging in a war to defend them. In regards to WWI, interventionist ideals best protected American interests due to their emphasis of protecting our citizens, our lands, and enhancing our economy.

American interests were best protected by interventionists because they attempted to prevent German aggression on American civilians. In the document “British Report on German Atrocities in Belgium”, it is stated that “We may find many well-established

The Zimmerman telegram clearly stated that Germany would help Mexico get back their lost lands from the American Southwest if they waged war against America. In the document “Germany Must Not Be Allowed to Win the War, it is explained that, “German agents have undoubtedly been at work in Mexico arousing anti-American feeling...Germans also appear to be operating in Haiti and San Domingo and are probably doing so in other Latin American republics” (D). Germany had tried to persuade Latin American nations to fight against America because of their proximity to this country. Interventionists believed that to stop the risks of Latin American countries waging war on us, we should get involved first to display our strength and not be threatened. American interests were best sheltered by interventionists because our lands would be protected and defended by joining the

George Washington stated, “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible”. This meant that America’s trade was encouraged to grow, but only if we did not intervene politically in another country. La Follete further explains this in his document, “A Progressive Opposes the Declaration of War” by saying that the war ravaging all of Europe is based on expansion of commerce, rather than the countries’ own moral standards against senseless killing. Lastly, in the “Socialist Party Convention: The Socialists Protest the War”, it is clarified that “Wars bring wealth and power to the ruling classes, and suffering, death and demoralization to the workers...was caused by the conflict of capitalist interest” (F). This document explained that the war was a capitalist war and that the people who would die were the lower-class workers. Although other argued that America joined the war because of greed, this is disproven because America joined the war to defend themselves and their