<P> The U.S. declaration of war on Germany , on 6 April 1917 was on the grounds that Germany had violated its neutrality by attacking international shipping and the Zimmermann Telegram sent to Mexico . It declared war on Austria - Hungary in December 1917 . The U.S. entered the war as an `` associated power '' , rather than as a formal ally of France and the United Kingdom , in order to avoid `` foreign entanglements '' . Although the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria severed relations with the United States , neither declared war . </P>
<P> The U.S. declaration of war on Germany , on 6 April 1917 was on the grounds that Germany had violated its neutrality by attacking international shipping and the Zimmermann Telegram sent to Mexico . It declared war on Austria - Hungary in December 1917 . The U.S. entered the war as an `` associated power '' , rather than as a formal ally of France and the United Kingdom , in order to avoid `` foreign entanglements '' . Although the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria severed relations with the United States , neither declared war . </P>
what side did the usa enter in wwi
what side did the usa enter in wwi
`` associated power ''
`` associated power ''