Question

Following escalating international tensions throughout late 1916 and early 1917, President Woodrow Wilson addressed a joint session of the two houses of Congress on April 2, 1917 and asked Congress to declare war on Imperial Germany.

Why did President Wilson need to make this request? (4 points)

a
Because Congress could convince their constituents, raising support for the war

b
Because the Constitution empowers Congress to declare war, not the president

c
Because the president had ordered military action and was trying to gain support from Congress

d
Because the executive branch is not as powerful as the legislative branch

Answer 1

Answer:

When President Wilson spoke to Congress on 2 April, asking that they vote for a declaration of war, he argued that the United States had no selfish interests in joining the conflict but that American participation would make the world safer for democracy. On 6 April the declaration of war was passed by Congress.