Az Amerikai Egyesült Államok hadba lépése 1917-ben
US Entry into World War I, 1917

Summary/Abstract: This article reviews the main reasons why the United States abandoned her logical neutral position assumed in August 1914 and entered the First World War on the side of the Allies in April 1917. It analyzes American neutrality and the challenges it faced from within and without. It also explains why Wilson was so reluctant to go to war and why he decided to take that drastic step after all, 32 months into the global conflict. Special attention is devoted to submarine warfare, trade, sabotage, ethnic relations, diplomatic and military preparedness, and various US elections. The immediate causes of US entry into the war (Mexico and submarines) are used to show that national prestige was the key factor in the decision. By highlighting the philosophical differences between Republicans and Democrats over the conduct of American foreign affairs, we also place Wilson’s ideas and decisions in the broader context of twentieth-century international relations.

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