In the summer of 1914 the Great War began, European countries went to war with one another, and due to alliances created in the past, the entire European continent became a battle ground. American citizens were shocked at the barbarism of modern warfare that was being demonstrated in Europe. The United States and its people were determined to stay neutral throughout the European's war. However, in April of 1917 the United States joined the side of the allies and declared war on Germany. The United States was forced to abandon its stand on neutrality and enter into the war due to the combination of Germany's promise of unrestricted submarine warfare, and the strong feeling's of the American people for pro-war nationalism.

In January 1917, British intelligence agencies intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram, a message sent from the German Foreign Minister to the government of Mexico. "In the event that the United States...