President Wilson’s first war moves, and Lenin’s dramatic arrival in Petrograd after years in exile, are discussed by Dennis Cross in his latest blog from the US, covering April 1917. Here’s his summary:
‘Two major events this month foreshadow the superpower alignment of the Twentieth Century: the United States enters the Great War, meaning to make the world safe for democracy, and Lenin returns to Russia, intent on leading a Bolshevik revolution. In Washington, the President’s request for a declaration of war is the first order of business for the newly elected 65th Congress. War is declared, the Navy is mobilized, German ships in American ports are seized, and suspected German spies are detained. Congress authorizes a $7 billion war loan, most of the proceeds marked for the nations already fighting Germany. The president issues a proclamation to the American people, telling them they must “speak, act and serve together” in support of the war effort. British and French emissaries visit the United States to participate in an International War Council. Both houses of Congress enact draft legislation. On the Western Front, an Anglo-French offensive is launched under the command of General Robert Nivelle, the new Commander-in-Chief of the French Army. The Canadians capture Vimy Ridge, but the offensive as a whole is a costly failure, ending with mutinies in the French Army and the replacement of Nivelle by General Philippe Petain. In a journey facilitated by the German government, Lenin travels from Zurich to Petrograd’s Finland Station. Upon arrival, in what would become known as the April Theses, he calls for the overthrow of Russia’s new Provisional Government.’