Answer :
Final answer:
The US was slow to enter WW1 due to isolationist sentiment but was spurred to join by events like the Lusitania sinking and the Zimmerman Telegram. The Central Powers included Germany and Austria-Hungary, while the Allies were led by countries like France and the UK. Post-war, US foreign policy favored isolationism, despite significant contributions of troops and resources during the war.
Explanation:
1. Reasons for US Delay in Entering WW1
The United States was slow to enter WW1 due to several factors, including isolationist sentiments and a focus on domestic issues. Initially, America maintained a neutral stance, influenced by a desire to avoid the chaos of European wars and the belief that the conflict was not in their interest. However, key events such as the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, which resulted in American civilian casualties, and the interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, in which Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the US, shifted public opinion and political will towards intervention.
2. Central Powers and Allies
The major countries that formed the Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. In contrast, the main nations forming the Allied Powers were France, Britain, Russia, and later, the United States.
3. US Contributions to WW1
The United States made significant contributions during WW1, including providing fresh troops, resources, and morale to the weary Allied forces. American soldiers played crucial roles in key battles such as the Battle of Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Additionally, the US economy boomed during the war, supplying allies with weapons and supplies.
4. The Sedition Act
The Sedition Act of 1918 was legislation that made it a crime to speak out against the government or the war effort. This law aimed to suppress dissenting voices and protect the United States from perceived threats during wartime.
5. The Schenck Case
The Schenck Case (1919) introduced the idea that the government could limit free speech during wartime if such speech presented a "clear and present danger". This case set a precedent for the balance between national security and individual rights.
6. The 14 Points
President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points outlined his vision for a post-war world that emphasized self-determination, free trade, and the establishment of a League of Nations to promote peace and prevent future conflicts. This plan sought to address the root causes of the war and foster international cooperation.
7. US Foreign Policy Post WW1
Post WW1, US foreign policy shifted towards isolationism. The US sought to avoid entanglements in European affairs, which was reflected in its rejection of the League of Nations and various treaties, leading to a period of relative disengagement from international conflicts until World War II.
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