Woodrow Wilson made the ultimate decision to ask Congress for a declaration of war on Germany despite earlier neutrality due to the international economic climate between Europe and North America. Britain and France were two European nations that traded most with the United States at the time, making them economical partners with similar interests. Germany despite any efforts to build a positive economic relationship with the United States would first have to through Britain and France (Geographically via Baltic Sea access). A few other factors that eventually led to the declaration of war against Germany was the sinking of the Lusitania which was a British ocean liner that was sunk by a German U-boat (submarine). Many Americans and civilians in general had died due to the incident. This also came a long with other sinking of American vessels in the Atlantic due to Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. Lastly, the Zimmermann Telegram was intercepted by the British which shown a possible deal with Mexico and the German government to form a military alliance against the United States. All these factors changed Wilson's mind on American Neutrality
