| However, the horrors of the World War One | | | | Washington directing him that if it seemed likely that |
| became unavoidable and pressure was mounted by | | | | America were to enter the war, he was to approach |
| the Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish communities in | | | | the Mexican government with a proposal for a |
| America whose countries were being devastated by | | | | military alliance. In March the Tsar was toppled by a |
| the Triple Entente. Still America remained isolated, | | | | democratic government removing the final obstacle |
| neither side managing to persuade them to join their | | | | and America declared war on Germany on 6 April |
| cause but if they were going to sign up it was | | | | 1917. |
| always going to be on the side of the Triple Entente, | | | | American forces were commanded by General |
| no question. Pressure continued to mount, Britain and | | | | Pershing, he was adamant that his soldiers would |
| France succeed in securing loans from America, while | | | | form an independent fighting force and would not be |
| a German U-boat sunk the passenger ship the | | | | led by British or French commanders. He quickly |
| Lusitania resulting in the death of 128 Americans. | | | | abandoned this stance during the Ludendorff |
| American public opinion became further enraged with | | | | offensive when it appeared likely that the Entente |
| the publication of the Zimmerman telegram in January | | | | forces were going to collapse, Pershing sent his |
| 1917. The telegram was sent by the Foreign | | | | troops wherever they were needed. |
| Secretary of Germany to the German ambassador in | | | | |