2019-04-06 Sat

On 6th April 1917, the United States formally enters the First World War.

With the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand began the Era of First Great War in the year 1914. When World War I erupted in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson pledged neutrality for the United States, a position favored by the vast majority of Americans.

However, tension soon arose between the United States and Germany over the latter’s attempted quarantine of the British Isles. Several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged or sunk by German mines. In February 1917, Germany, resumed its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare in war-zone waters.

A couple of days later, he American liner Housatonic was sunk by a German U-boat. In late March, Germany sank four more U.S. merchant ships, and on April 2, President Wilson went before Congress to deliver his famous war message. Within four days, both houses of Congress had voted in favor of a declaration of war.

The entry of the US in the war could not be more fortunate. With the Exit of Russia, the entire burden was on the shoulders of France and Britain who were increasingly getting tired. The well-timed entry of the US not only saved the allied powers but also changed the course of the war and the fate of the future.

The stamp shown above was issue during the war time. Known as the War saving Stamp, this kind of stamps was issued in order to raise funds for the war.

Image Courtesy: https://coinweek.com and www.mysticstamp.com