The United States officially joined World War I on April 6, 1917, following a series of events that swayed public opinion and political leadership towards intervention. Initially neutral, America faced pressures, including unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, which increasingly threatened American commercial shipping and lives. The Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany sought to incite Mexico against the U.S., further fueled calls for war. President Woodrow Wilson sought to make the world "safe for democracy" and believed that American participation was essential to achieving peace and stability in Europe. This entry marked a significant turning point in the war, ultimately contributing to the Allied victory.