The resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans makes it more difficult than ever for Woodrow Wilson to resist the march to war. Once the Zimmerman Telegram is revealed, it becomes impossible, though the Russian Revolution now allows him to frame the conflict as democracy vs. autocracy, and Wilson declares that “the world must be made safe for democracy.”
(The title of this episode notwithstanding, please note that Wilson did not say it was America’s duty to make the world safe for democracy. He said it must be done, as in, it is the duty of all peoples.)
Listen:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening War Theme
“Rolling Thunder”
Composed by Henry Fillmore in 1916. Public domain.
Performed by the Ceremonial Brass of the United States Air Force Band. Public domain recording. Source.
La Reine de la Mer
Composed by John Philip Sousa in 1886. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing War Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.