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Today in History: The United States Enters World War I
04/06/10
On April 6, 1917, the United States issued a declaration of war against Germany and officially entered World War I. President Woodrow Wilson, who had long sought to remain neutral in the conflict that had ravaged Europe since 1914, finally decided that U.S. involvement was necessary to make the world “safe for democracy,” as he explained in an April 2 speech to Congress.
Wilson’s decision to enter the war did not meet with universal approval. One of the most outspoken opponents of U.S. involvement was Senator Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin. As Congress considered Wilson’s request, he made an impassioned speech opposing war with Germany. La Follette claimed that his stance represented the views of the majority of U.S. citizens: “Who has registered the knowledge or approval of the American people of the course this congress is called upon to take in declaring war upon Germany?,” he asked. “Submit the question to the people, you who support it. You who support it dare not do it, for you know that by a vote of more than 10 to one the American people as a body would register their declaration against it.”
La Follette remained steadfastly opposed to the war and critical of Wilson’s foreign policy throughout the conflict, even though war supporters ridiculed him and questioned his loyalty. On October 6, 1917, he responded to his critics with an address defending freedom of speech during wartime. “Our Government, above all others, is founded on the right of the people freely to discuss all matters pertaining to their Government, in war not less than in peace, for in this Government the people are the rulers in war no less than in peace,” he declared.
Read ROBERT LA FOLLETTE’S SPEECH OPPOSING WAR WITH GERMANY
Read ROBERT LA FOLLETTE’S ADDRESS DEFENDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN WARTIME