Question

collected world war 1 documentsdocument 1the people of the united states are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. it is natural and inevitable that some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous strugglesuch divisions among us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one nation ready to play a part of mediator and counselor of peace.the united states must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try mens souls. we must be impartial in thought, as well as action.source: message on neutrality by woodrow wilson, 19141. what is one reason president wilson wants to keep the united states out of world war i?document 2property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. the present german submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.the german policy has swept every restriction aside. ships of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom of the ocean without warning. american ships have been sunk, american lives taken.i advise that the congress declare the recent actions of the imperial german government to be, in fact, nothing less than war against the government and people of the united states. neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved.the world must be made safe for democracy.source: declaration of war on germany by woodrow wilson, 19172. what is one reason wilson gives for declaring war on germany?document 3president woodrow wilson had promised that the united states would stay neutral in the war... but in april of 1917, the germans had announced they would have their submarines sink any ship bringing supplies to their enemies. wilson now said he must stand by the right of americans to travel on merchant ships in the war zone...

Explanation:

1. For the first question, the document notes U.S. citizens have ties to warring nations; divisions from taking sides would harm peace of mind and the U.S.'s role as a peace mediator.
2. For the second question, the document states Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare sank U.S. ships, killed U.S. citizens, and was an attack on mankind, making neutrality impossible.

Answer:

1. Divisions among U.S. citizens (due to ties to warring nations) would be fatal to domestic peace and hinder the U.S.'s ability to act as a peace mediator.
2. Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare resulted in the sinking of American ships and the loss of American lives, which Wilson framed as an act of war against the U.S. and mankind, making neutrality no longer feasible.