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American Neutrality

American Neutrality. Total war. Early Statement of Neutrality. 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: Stance Reflected Public Opinion

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American Neutrality

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  1. American Neutrality Total war

  2. Early Statement of Neutrality • 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: • Stance Reflected Public Opinion • Links of Many Americans to Other Nations (Immigration) • Policy of Isolationism • “Remain neutral in thoughts as well as deed.” http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/usneutrality.htm

  3. America as a Mediator of Peace • Peace Conference • The United States wanted to force the nations at war to end the war through diplomatic means. • Countries of the World should unite against the “Belligerant” countries at war to bring pressure against them to cease the hostilities. • EPIC FAIL

  4. Increasing American involvement against the belligerents • Did someone say neutrality? • Imports and Loans Linked the United States with an Allied Victory.

  5. Conflict with Britain on disruption of American trade • United States Concern • The United States is concerned that ships carrying cargo to neutral nations are being captured by British ships, taken into port, and kept their for 4-5 weeks while the cargo is inspected. • United States feels that the protection of these goods should be top priority and that ships should not be stopped if headed to neutral nations. • British Policy and Rationale • The British feel it is their duty to protect goods going to the enemy. • Claim that they do not feel they are interrupting trade and feel the US claims are not accurate.

  6. American Conflict with germany

  7. American response to unrestricted submarine warfare • Unrestricted Submarine Warfare • Germany attacked vessels that they believed were carrying cargo’s to enemy nations. • The policy not only included cargo ships, but eventually passenger vessels. • Wilson • Warned the Germany that the continued practice of unrestricted warfare on US ships would not be tolerated.

  8. American response to sinking of the Lusitania • British Passenger Ship Lusitania Sinks as a Result of German Attack • 1200 Passengers Aboard the Ship Died. (128 Americans) • German Promise • Would not sink passenger ships without warning. • Germans would violate this promise sinking three ships within a two week period. • The continued attacks would push the United States closer to war.

  9. Zimmerman Telegram • Intercepted by the British and Passed to the United States • Germany Promised to give Mexico lost land in the Southwest if they promised to attack the United States • AMERICANS WERE OUTRAGED

  10. Declaration of War • Rationale • Sinking of US Ships • Zimmerman Telegram • Changing of Public Opinion • Wilson Seeks Declaration of War from Congress

  11. Total war

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