Final answer:
The U.S. entrance into World War I was influenced by factors that either slowed it down or sped it up. Events like the sinking of the Lusitania and the publication of the Zimmerman Telegram speeded up the U.S. entrance, while the policy of neutrality slowed it down. Sympathy for the Allies among many Americans also played a role in speeding up their entrance into the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. entrance into World War I was influenced by several factors that either slowed it down or sped it up. One factor that slowed down the U.S. involvement was the policy of neutrality adopted by President Woodrow Wilson. This policy aimed to keep the United States out of the war and avoid entangling alliances. However, there were also events that sped up the U.S. entrance, such as the sinking of the British passenger ship RMS Lusitania by a German submarine, which caused a public outcry due to the loss of American lives.
Another event that speeded up the U.S. entrance into the war was the publication of the Zimmerman Telegram. This telegram, intercepted by British intelligence, revealed a German proposal to Mexico to join the war on the side of the Central Powers, promising the return of lost territory in the United States. This revelation outraged the American public and further increased the push for U.S. involvement in the war.
Moreover, the strong sympathy that many Americans had for the Allies, particularly France and Britain, played a significant role in speeding up the U.S. entrance into the war. Public opinion in the United States was increasingly swayed by reports of German atrocities and violation of neutral rights. The sinking of American vessels by German submarines also contributed to a growing sentiment that the United States needed to join the war.
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