America declared war on Germany four days later.<\/p>\n
The first event which led to this was the increased German aggression shown over the Atlantic. Here, all boats heading towards Europe, no matter the nationality or purpose of vessel, were targets for sinking by U-boats.<\/p>\n
The second\u00a0was the incident of the Zimmermann telegram \u2013 a communication from Germany to Mexico which proposed a military alliance between the two countries should America join the War. However, this telegram was intercepted by British intelligence.<\/p>\n
At the same time in Europe, there were contrasting emotions from two brothers towards the war and America\u2019s involvement.<\/p>\n
George Macaulay Trevelyan was based in Italy commanding an ambulance unit for the British Red Cross, and in a letter to his father he expressed his feelings on America entering the war.<\/p>\n
![\"Above](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/speccoll\/files\/2017\/04\/GOT-151-1024x646.jpg\")
<\/a>Letter from the George Otto Trevelyan Archive GOT 151\/1\/1 \u2013 GOT 151\/1\/2<\/p><\/div>\n
S<\/span>Sir!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0I am going out\u00a0to<\/u>\u00a0shake the hand of an American citizen, the first I can find in this\u00a0E<\/u>ternal City, on the occasion of his country breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany.<\/em><\/p>\n I shall also leave my card at the American Embassy.<\/em><\/p>\n My only regret is that by a strange chance I was in New York during the Italians Days? of May 1915 and in Rome during the present American crisis.<\/em><\/p>\n I saw our Ambassador yesterday and he told me that he felt sure the war would not go on till next year; he evidently thought the germans were in a bad way unless their submarine campaign can force us to compromise with them. If the war does end this year the affairs of our unit on which H. E. puts a high value, will be relatively easy.<\/em><\/p>\n I return to the front tomorrow<\/em><\/p>\n Your affectionate son<\/em><\/p>\n George Trevelyan On the other hand, George\u2019s brother Charles Philips Trevelyan, Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education was against the war.\u00a0 He had already resigned his post and been a founder member of the Union of Democratic Control \u2013 a pressure group containing MPs from both the Liberal and Labour parties and included various influential figures such as author Norman Angell and journalist E. D. Morel. They were against conscription, and wanted more negotiations.<\/p>\n During a speech at Bradford, Charles spoke about the number of casualties and America\u2019s position in the war at that time. Three months later at Hammersmith he spoke about America\u2019s entry into the war.<\/p>\n Notes for a speech from Charles Philips Trevelyan Archive, CPT 46\/14 – CPT 46\/15<\/p><\/div>\n Word peace has been spoken Only question whether several millions more men killed or maimed before national governments begin negotiations. For 18 months demanding negotiations- negotiated note a dictated pence \u2013 Cannot ignore President Wilson \u2013 voice reverberates throughout world \u2013 as the megaphone of will of peaceful millions of America. At the time of this speech there were eight million dead as a result of the war.<\/p>\n Extract taken from a letter in the Charles Philips Trevelyan Archive, CPT 46\/56<\/p><\/div>\n Entry of America\u00a0<\/u><\/em>\u2013 Contrast to every European nation. The victim and tool of secret coteries of Kings \u2013 ministers- or bureaucrats.<\/em><\/p>\n Trevelyan then continues about America bringing a \u201cBreath of healthy idealism to blow away the over\u2026..? ambitions overlaid the finer of our national objects\u201d\u00a0<\/em>and wanting nothing from the War.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly the same things in mind as in his previous utterances\u201d. We of U.D.C. cannot ask for peace on better terms because what we have advocated for two years\u201d With America\u2019s involvement the war lasted another 19 months, and had been dubbed the war to end all wars. However, Charles Philips Trevelyan\u2019s anti-war stance contributed to his rejection from his constituency and he lost his seat in 1918. Four years later, after changing his political allegiance to the Labour Party, he became M.P. for Newcastle Central becoming President of the Board of Education in 1924. The Union of Democratic Control was eventually disbanded in the 1960s.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 6th April 2017 marks the centenary of America entering World War I. Until this point President Woodrow Wilson had outwardly shown a neutral stance whilst allowing the banks to make loans to Britain and France. At this point the majority … Continue reading
(Extract from GOT 151)<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Above](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/speccoll\/files\/2017\/04\/CPT-46-1024x646.jpg\")
<\/a>
been for many days and months
That is the beginning of the end \u2013\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
Present situation
Great change in last month
Began with President Wilson asking belligerents to state terms.
When I think of the abuse levelled against me and my friends \u2013<\/em><\/p>\n
For 18 months for government to state terms.<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/em>(Extracts from CPT 46\/14 \u2013 CPT 46\/15)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Extract](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/speccoll\/files\/2017\/04\/CPT-46-56-648x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>
<\/em>Strike member U.D.C right way and wrong way to go to war. Pres. Wilson made nation confidant \u2013 every step of policy overt \u2013 acted slowly and deliberately laying down his policy in magnificent declarations. Soberly and with full knowledge.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
(Extracts from CPT 46\/56)<\/em><\/p>\n