The document summarizes the key events that drew the United States into World War I despite President Wilson's initial goal of neutrality. It outlines several provocations by Germany including the sinking of the Lusitania passenger ship which killed over 100 American civilians in 1915. It also mentions the Zimmerman Telegram sent by Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S. This, along with Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, proved too much for American public opinion and led Wilson to ask Congress to declare war on Germany in April 1917.