World War I | The Yanks Are Coming | 2

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 10 April 2024

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the spring of 1917 the U.S. moved closer to entering the Great War. German submarines resumed attacks against American ships, and a secret German telegram urging Mexico to wage war on the U.S. came to light, enraging the public. As he prepared to lead the nation into the conflict, President Woodrow Wilson faced daunting challenges. He would have to transform the Army, reshape the economy and crack down on internal dissent. And for German-Americans, U.S. entry into the war would leave them caught between home and heritage.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Imagine it's late evening on Saturday, February 24th, 1917, and you are the special
0:19.7	advisor for the State Department.
0:21.9	You've just rushed over to the White House with four type-written sheets of paper in your hand.
0:27.0	Information you are certain will knock the world off its axis.
0:32.0	Almost breathless, you enter President Woodrow Wilson's office.
0:35.0	Mr President, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.
0:38.0	Wilson beckons you to take a seat.
0:41.0	It sounded extremely urgent when you telephoned.
0:43.4	Yes, sir, it is. We've just received this from the British. It's a message from the
0:47.9	German foreign minister to the German ambassador in Mexico City. The British
0:52.2	intercepted it and decoded it.
0:54.0	The President gives you a disbelieving look as you hand him the papers.
0:59.0	He repositions his spectacles and then begins to read.
1:02.0	His eyes flip back and forth, then his mouth falls open and his eyes widen.
1:07.0	Is this genuine? Our Ambassador in London and experts in the State Department believe it is, yes.
1:12.0	The Germans are offering to let Mexico... and experts in the State Department believe it is, yes.
1:12.8	The Germans are offering to let Mexico take back the southwest
1:16.4	if they declare war on us?
1:18.0	That's right, sir.
1:18.8	I doubt the Mexicans would entertain the offer,
1:21.2	but it's proof of Germany's hostile intentions.
1:23.6	The president's nostrils flare in anger.
	...

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