| American Neutrality and Entry into World War I (1914-1917) |
|
Sections:- Early Statement of Neutrality
- America as a Mediator of Peace
- Increasing American Involvement with the Belligerents
- Conflict with Britain on Disruption of American Trade
- American Conflict with Germany
- American Response to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
- American Response to the Sinking of the Lusitania
- Zimmerman Telegram
- Declaration of War
|
| Historical Context
The U.S. was determined to adopt a stance of rigid neutrality at the start of the war, and President Wilson announced the American stance to this effect shortly after war broke out, on 19 August 1914, reflecting U.S. popular opinion. During his address, he warned U.S. citizens against taking sides in the war for fear of endangering the wider U.S. policy.
Attached Documents
Included here are excerpts from Wilson's address, as well as a photograph of Wilson.
Questions to consider
1) Why did Wilson not want the United States involved in World War I? Contrast the United States' devotion to isolationism prior to World War I to U.S. involvement in world affairs today.
2) Do you believe Wilson was representing the will of the general public? Why or why not? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Many American leaders felt that the proper role for the United States was a mediator of peace, though this avenue was exhausted shortly after the war began.
Attached Document
The attachments below reference discussions between Colonel Edward House, one of President Wilson’s closest confidants, and British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey. The document seems to reflect optimism on the part of the Americans, and reluctance from the Allied camp.
Questions to consider
1) Why do you think House was optimisitic? Was he being idealistic? Discuss your answers.
2) How did the reluctance from the Allied camp influence American participation in World War I? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Despite official neutrality, a large increase in loans and exports to the Allies led to a vested interest in an Allied victory. Exports to Germany and its allies rapidly diminished as a significant rise in shipping to Britain and France began to occur. Such disparities in trade between the countries at war led to increased conflict both domestically and internationally as many leaders at home and abroad bristled at the U.S.' seeming favor of the Allies.
Attached Documents
The attachment below includes a letter from then Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan to the President. The letter reveals Bryan's reluctance at allowing the countries at war to borrow American money, fearful these loans would project the appearance of choosing sides in the largely European conflict. A response to Bryan's position by his successor, Robert Lansing is also included. The photograph is of William Jennings Bryan.
Questions to consider
1) Was the United States choosing sides? Why was Bryan hestitant to do so?
2) Did the U.S. have a responsibility to lend money to the Allied camp? Why or why not? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Although German submarine warfare exacted a heavy toll on American trade, the British were also responsible for negatively impacting the ability of American goods to enter neutral ports.
Attached Documents
Attached here is a letter from a British diplomat explaining the practice of prohibiting the U.S. from trading certain items with fellow neutrals. Also included is a political cartoon from 1914 entitled, "Britannia must be more careful how she waves the rules," about the English blockade and its effect on neutral commerce and American shipping.
Questions to consider
1) Why did Britain attempt to hinder American trade? Were they justified in their attempts?
2) Did such tactics influence American involvement in World War I? Why or why not? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The neutrality of the United States, while not ideal for Great Britain, became a way for Britain to protect itself from the powerful German Navy.
Attached Document
Below is a political cartoon referring to the British practice of flying an American flag on their ships, which was considered a neutral flag. Such action on the part of the British contributed largely to the German military declaring the area around Britain restricted. Also provided below included is a map illustrating the German blockade zone.
Questions to consider
1) Why would British ships fly American flags? What do you think of this?
2) Was the British practice of flying neutral flags a clever strategy? Why or why not? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
On 4 February, the German Admiralty issued a formal declaration, warning neutral shipping to stay away from the waters surrounding Britain and Ireland beginning on 18 February 1915. Six days later, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, still maintaining a neutral stance in the war, issued a thinly veiled warning to the German government.
Attached Document
Included here is Wilson's 'Strict Accountability' message, which made it clear that the U.S. government would not tolerate any strategy by the German navy to sink neutral U.S. shipping at any time.
Questions to consider
1) Discuss the implications of Wilson's address? Did such an address essentially end the American stance of neutrality?
2) How would sinking neutral American ships be advantageous to the Germans? Discuss their submarine blockade strategy. |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The German sinking of the Lusitania on 7 May 1915, with its consequent loss of American life, provoked great public and diplomatic anger from and within the U.S. Already concerned with Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, many in the U.S. believed the sinking of the Lusitania to be a calculated provocation of the U.S.by Germany.
Attached Document
Below is the official American response to the tragedy issued by Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan.
Questions to consider
1) Do you think the sinking of the Lusitania was meant to provoke the United States? Why or why not?
2) How did the sinking of the Lusitania influence American involvement in World War I? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The Zimmerman Telegram was a telegram issued from Germany to Mexico. Intercepted by the British, and released to the Americans, the telegram proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany. Germany informed Mexico that such an alliance would make it possible for Mexico to reclaim the Southwestern U.S. lands taken from Mexico in the previous century. The Zimmerman telegram, once released, served as a powerful tool of propaganda, by steering American public opinion away from any possible reconciliation with the Germans.
Attached Documents
Attached below is a document that includes the text of the infamous telegram, as well as an extremely helpful video clip that provides background to the Zimmerman Telegram.
Questions to consider
1) Discuss the Mexican dilemma created by the Zimmerman Telegram. Do you think Mexico could have been successful?
2) Was such a risky move on the part of the Germans a clever strategy? Did the benefits outweigh the costs? Why or why not? |
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
A resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 convinced American leaders that war with Germany was the only option. Other factors, such as suspicions of German involvement with Mexico (via the Zimmermann Telegram), solidified popular opinion against Germany.
Attached Documents
The attachments here include the text of German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg's response to news that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was to appear before the U.S. Congress on 2 April 1917 to seek authorization for a declaration of war with Germany. Also included are the text of Wilson's war message to Congress and a short explanatory video clip outlining Wilson's speech.
Questions to consider
1) At what point do you think it became impossible for the U.S. to stay out of World War I? |
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Back To Module List Back to Sections |
