text: does anyone know how allied propaganda influences america's decision to delclare war on germany in 1917?   woodrow wilson and many americans blamed the war on militarism, and this was a theme that figured prominently in anti-german propaganda throughout france, great britain and, from 1915 onwards, in the united states. the idea was that the kaiser and his autocratic prussian government had a thirst for military power and glory, and such goals took priority over the needs and wishes of the people. the implication was that a "democratic" government would not have instigated the war. america's long-standing policy of isolationism left the united states reluctant to involve itself with what was popularly perceived, among the american public, as a european war. early in 1917, germany resumed its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. this, combined with public indignation over the zimmermann telegram, led to a final break of relations with the central powers. after further u-boat attacks on american merchant ships, president woodrow wilson requested that congress declare war on germany.