On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson addressed Congress and asked for a declaration of war. His speech ended:
But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts, for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.Robert M. La Follette opposed the declaration of war was appalled at the war fever which immediately precluded any considered discussion. On April 4, he addressed the Senate:
It is unfortunately true that a portion of the irresponsible and war-crazed press, feeling secure in the authority of the President`s condemnation of the senators who opposed the armed-ship bill, have published the most infamous and scurrilous libels on the honor of the senators who opposed that bill. It was particularly unfortunate that such malicious falsehoods should fill the public press of the country at a time when every consideration for our country required that a spirit of fairness should be observed in the discussion of the momentous questions under consideration.
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Date
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Europe | The Seas | Elsewhere |
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1914
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June
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1st Colonel House mission | ||
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June 28
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand | ||
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July 28
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia | ||
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August 1
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Germany declares war on Russia | ||
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August 3
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Germany declares war on France | ||
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August 4
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Germany invades Belgium | ||
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August 4
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Britain declares war on Germany | ||
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August 4
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U.S. declares neutrality | ||
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August 6
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Austria Hungary declares war on Russia | ||
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August 5-16
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Siege of Liege | ||
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August 12
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Austria Hungary invades Serbia | ||
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August 14
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France invades Lorraine | ||
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August 22-23
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Battle of Mons | Japan declares war on Germany | |
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August 26-30
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Battle of Tannenburg | ||
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August 28
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Battle of Heligoland | ||
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August 30
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Paris Zeppelin raid | ||
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September 5-9
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1st Battle of the Marne | ||
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October 15 - November 24
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1st Battle of Ypres | ||
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October 29
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Turkey joins Central Powers | ||
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November 21
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Britain and India invade Middle East | ||
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December 24-26
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Christmas Truce | ||
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January 19
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London Zeppelin raid | ||
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January 28
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William P. Frye sunk | ||
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February 4
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Germany declares war zone around British Isles | ||
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February 19
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Dardanelles naval attack | ||
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April
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Turkey moves against Armenians | ||
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April 22
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2nd Battle of Ypres begins | ||
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April 25
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Gallipoli landing | ||
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May 1
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Gulflight sunk | ||
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May 7
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Lusitania sunk | ||
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May 23
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Italy declares war on Austria Hungary | ||
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May 31
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Zeppelin raid on London | ||