Final answer:
The US entry into WWI was influenced by German aggressions, such as unrestricted submarine warfare and threats to neutral rights, which led President Wilson to secure a declaration of war to protect US interests and ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether the US was justified in entering World War I (WWI) is a complex question that can be analyzed from multiple perspectives, including foreign policy concerns, international relations, and the implications of key events. At the time, US foreign policy was challenged by several incidents like the sinking of US ships and the Zimmermann Telegram, which suggested a direct threat to national security and a challenge to the principle of freedom of the seas. On the domestic front, sentiments were influenced by factors such as the presence of immigrant communities with ties to nations involved in the war and growing economic connections to the Allies.
The decision to enter WWI was also influenced by the strategic stakes. If Germany prevailed and the Bolsheviks in Russia solidified power, the global balance of power could shift, potentially unfavorably to US interests. Ultimately, President Woodrow Wilson and the US Congress decided that the aggression displayed by Germany, especially unrestricted submarine warfare, justified a declaration of war. This was in line with Wilson's ideals of supporting the rights of neutral nations and ensuring the freedom of the seas.
Entering the war had significant implications for the United States, indeed changing its image from a relatively isolated nation to one with a global military presence. Aside from military contributions, the US bolstered the morale of the Allies and emerged as a rising economic power. The impact of US participation contributed to the eventual outcome of WWI, tilting the balance towards the Allies. Despite the hesitancy to join the conflict, the strategic benefits, and the call to uphold principles of international conduct, led many Americans to ultimately support the intervention.
The examination of primary sources concerning these factors helps us understand the complex set of reasons why war seemed a necessary course of action at that time. Analyzing these sources can provide insights into how these justifications were viewed both domestically and internationally, and whether the US entry into WWI was a defendable position based on the arguments and evidence of the era.