by Lenna Gonya

Created on: December 01, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2010

Prior to WW I, Americans were pretty much satisfied with their isolationist policies. Political entanglements. and world wars were unknown, and, certainly the consequences of involvement were equally unimaginable. We were a naive culture. Going off to save the world from the evil powers that threatened it was a romantic ideal that spurred young men into military service.

No one had any way of knowing that the aftermath of the War to end all wars would alter the world economically, socially, and politically in such dramatic ways. It would change the leadership of the world's finance, bring about future tragedies, and, allow Communism to be introduced into the mix.

We had no idea of entering the conflict in Europe at the beginning, when the squabbling and saber rattling of the royal cousin rulers turned to actual armed conflict. Even when the Lusitania was sunk by a German U boat in 1915, killing over one hundred Americans, we held back, choosing to believe Germany's vow not to attack unarmed ships in the future.

In 1916, Woodrow Wilson ran for re-election on the slogan, he kept us out of war, and won. Although most Americans were sympathetic to the allies in Europe, they were hesitant to join the battle.

By April 6, 1917, however, we had officially declared war on Germany, which was the outcome that Wilson undoubtedly knew before his re-election. The outrage of the Lusitania did not determine America's decision as much as economics. Europe owed the U.S. money, and, a defeated and bankrupt Europe could not pay it back.

After the war, the economic fabric of the world changed. Europe was no longer the financial giant of the world, and the torch was passed to the U.S. The cost of war in Great Britain, France, and other involved nations put them into debt, and increased America's economic strength in the world.

It was no longer possible, or, at least it was difficult to resume normal trade with other countries, due to lack of stable currency and prejudices against enemy nations.

Socially, the way we looked at the world was altered forever. Young people who had never left their own home states were now world wise and hardened. We were also, for the first time in our history since the Civil War, faced with the problem and tragedy of disabled veterans, and the treatment of our returning soldiers.

From a national standpoint, we set a precedent that would forever make us guardians of the world's freedom. We became bankers, and, as such, the chief interested parties in the economic growth and restoration of Europe and Great Britain.

Politically, the treatment of Germany would eventually lead to the bigger and more tragic consequence of Hitler's Germany years down the road. How the victors handled their enemies led to the political problems that have plagued Europe ever since.

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