“Laying the Foundation for the ‘American Century’: The U.S. Entry into the First World War”

The U.S. Congress declared war on the Central Powers (Germany and its allies) on April 6, 1917. The decision to enter the conflict was not an easy one as most Americans preferred to remain neutral. The U.S. entry proved to be a turning point, enabling the Allies (Great Britain, France, Italy and others) to achieve victory in November 1918. The U.S. returned to a modified isolationist stance in the years following the war. Although not quite willing to act as a world power, the U.S. nonetheless played an international role. It took a second and more devastating global conflict for the U.S. to feel comfortable in its role as the world's leading power, starting what became known as the "American Century." In a conversation with the audience, Frank Buscher will explore the U.S. entry into the war and its consequences.