U.S.+Declares+War-Briggs

Following Wilson's reelection, events quickly brought the U.S. to the brink of war. Mexico agreed to become allies with Germany to fight against the Untied States, because Germany promised Mexico that they would regain "lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona" after the war. Furious, many Americans now concluded war with Germany was necessary. Then, on February 1, 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany believed that they could starve Britain into submission in four to six months if their U-Boats began sinking all ships on sight. They did know that this decision would bring America into war with them, but they also thought that the Americans could not make it to Europe in time. President Wilson then declared that the world must be made safe for democracy," Wilson then asked congress to declare war on germany. Zimmerman Telegram