There were many reasons for U.S. interventions in World War I. America feared

that if Germany won the war, loans that were made to our allies would not be repaid. A

British blockade ended American exports to Germany. Freedom of the seas was an

important reason. German U-boats were interfering with non-war related trade, violating

neutrality rights. The Lusitania was sunk, killing 128 Americans. The Germans, fearing

U.S. involvement, agreed not to sink any more ships without warning. Once again,

Germany sunk another ship, called the Sussex, and killed more Americans. Then came the

Zimmermann note, which was a letter written by Arthur Zimmerman(German foreign

minister) to the German ambassador of Mexico. It was intercepted. The note encouraged

an alliance between Germany and Mexico, with Germany promising support in gaining

their lost territories-Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The U.S. was not so successful in

influencing the post-war political organization in Europe. Woodrow Wilson insisted on

forming the League of Nations. He laid out a peace program called the fourteen points,

the ones that suited them. Germany had to assume full responsibility for the war, which

they were very bitter about. If France and Britain weren’t so selfish and vindictive, Hitler

never might have come into power, and WWII may never have happened. The war

impacted the United States domestic front in many ways. Our economy did not change for

the worst. There was a labor shortage which was because foreign immigration was not

allowed, and also four million men were sent to war. Women and others, such as blacks

and other minorities, joined the workforce. Riots ensued because white people (some)

didn’t like black people getting their jobs. Females made a big contribution taking the

place of men. Woodrow Wilson was appreciative and he endorsed woman’s suffering

giving woman the right to vote.