1. Introduction: Why I wrote about my event
The main reason why I wrote about my event is because World War 1 was the most important event during that time period for the United States and the rest of the world. At the time, newer inventions such as machine guns and mortars attributed to one of the highest death tolls of the early century and tactics such as trench warfare were a commonplace during battles. Also, the United States had entered late into the war and was more of a deciding factor.
2. The Broad Context for my event
On May 7, 1915, the HMS Lusitania was hit by a German torpedo and sank. The ship was carrying over a hundred American citizens. These deaths outraged much of America
3. The immediate context for my event
The Zimmerman Telegram
Telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, intercepted, deciphered, and brought to the public. It stated:
"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN.
Congress Declares War on Germany
In an address to Congress, President Woodrow Wilson urged for them to support the idea of the United States going to war with Germany:
“... it is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts,—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.”
4. Description of my event
April 6 1917 was the day that the United States declared war on Germany. Before that time, during the War, the United States remained a neutral country. The event that sparked America’s interest into joining the War was when a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania in 1915, holding a various group of Europeans and Americans. President Woodrow Wilson demanded an end on unrestricted warfare from Germany. Two years later, Germany resumed their attacks on merchant and passenger ships. Realizing that this would mean war from the United States and taking advantage of United States’ small military, Germany sent a telegram to Mexico. Known as the Zimmerman Telegram, it was an invitation to Mexico into the war to fight against the United States and gain back lost territories. Intercepted and released to the public, many Americans saw it as a proximate cause into World War 1. April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson urged for Congress to bring the United States into the war in an address. Five days later, Congress had voted for the United States to go to war with Germany.
5. Why my event is important in US history.
Before this event, the military of the United States had been small and relied heavily on volunteers to join. After Congress had voted for the United States to go to war with Germany, they passed the Selective Service Act of 1917 in order to increase the amount of soldiers in the military to be sent to war. Because of this act, the military had increased dramatically, contributing to more than 2.8 million for the war overseas in Europe.
6. The perspective that I chose
I chose the perspective of a U.S. citizen drafted into the Army. A month after Congress had declared war on Germany, the United States passed the Selective Service Act. This stated that all men 21 to 30 were required to register for the military. A year later, this was changed to all men 18 to 45 were required to register. This resulted in a total of 2.8 million people being drafted into the war compared to the 2 million that volunteered. That meant that there were more than 800 thousand men that were drafted into the military compared to the amount that volunteered. A lot of those that were drafted were unmarried men with no dependants and were deemed “fit for military service”.
7. Information and commentary about my poem
Poetic Form: Quatrain
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
Event: The United States Enters World War 1
Perspective: U.S. Soldier
Title: Drafted
The main reason why I wrote about my event is because World War 1 was the most important event during that time period for the United States and the rest of the world. At the time, newer inventions such as machine guns and mortars attributed to one of the highest death tolls of the early century and tactics such as trench warfare were a commonplace during battles. Also, the United States had entered late into the war and was more of a deciding factor.
2. The Broad Context for my event
On May 7, 1915, the HMS Lusitania was hit by a German torpedo and sank. The ship was carrying over a hundred American citizens. These deaths outraged much of America
3. The immediate context for my event
The Zimmerman Telegram
Telegram sent from Germany to Mexico, intercepted, deciphered, and brought to the public. It stated:
"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN.
Congress Declares War on Germany
In an address to Congress, President Woodrow Wilson urged for them to support the idea of the United States going to war with Germany:
“... it is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts,—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.”
4. Description of my event
April 6 1917 was the day that the United States declared war on Germany. Before that time, during the War, the United States remained a neutral country. The event that sparked America’s interest into joining the War was when a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania in 1915, holding a various group of Europeans and Americans. President Woodrow Wilson demanded an end on unrestricted warfare from Germany. Two years later, Germany resumed their attacks on merchant and passenger ships. Realizing that this would mean war from the United States and taking advantage of United States’ small military, Germany sent a telegram to Mexico. Known as the Zimmerman Telegram, it was an invitation to Mexico into the war to fight against the United States and gain back lost territories. Intercepted and released to the public, many Americans saw it as a proximate cause into World War 1. April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson urged for Congress to bring the United States into the war in an address. Five days later, Congress had voted for the United States to go to war with Germany.
5. Why my event is important in US history.
Before this event, the military of the United States had been small and relied heavily on volunteers to join. After Congress had voted for the United States to go to war with Germany, they passed the Selective Service Act of 1917 in order to increase the amount of soldiers in the military to be sent to war. Because of this act, the military had increased dramatically, contributing to more than 2.8 million for the war overseas in Europe.
6. The perspective that I chose
I chose the perspective of a U.S. citizen drafted into the Army. A month after Congress had declared war on Germany, the United States passed the Selective Service Act. This stated that all men 21 to 30 were required to register for the military. A year later, this was changed to all men 18 to 45 were required to register. This resulted in a total of 2.8 million people being drafted into the war compared to the 2 million that volunteered. That meant that there were more than 800 thousand men that were drafted into the military compared to the amount that volunteered. A lot of those that were drafted were unmarried men with no dependants and were deemed “fit for military service”.
7. Information and commentary about my poem
Poetic Form: Quatrain
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
Event: The United States Enters World War 1
Perspective: U.S. Soldier
Title: Drafted