U.S. “Neutrality” in WWI

1. U.S. “Neutrality” in WWI

2. What does it mean to be “neutral”?

3. U.S. “Neutrality” in WWI • By 1914 the U.S. had about $3.5 Billion in investments in Europe. • Throughout the war the United States was selling weapons to England. • From the start of the warup toApril of 1917 more than $2 Billion worth of goods had been sold to the Allies. • In 1915 (after Woodrow Wilson lifted a ban on private bank loans to the Allies) U.S. banks like J.P. Morgan and Company began loaning large sums of money to England.

5. U.S. “Neutrality” in WWI • In 1915, due, in part, to the volume of trade occurring between England, the U.S., and other Allies, Germany engaged in “Unrestricted Submarine Warfare.” • This resulted in the loss of nearly half of Britain's merchant marine fleet during the course of the war.

7. U.S. “Neutrality” in WWI • In 1915, a British ship, theLusitania, was torpedoed and sunk by a German Submarine. • It was said to have been nothing more than a passenger ship, but in actuality it was carrying weapons to England. • 1,248 people died, including 124 Americans. • But this was not the direct cause for the U.S. to enter the war.

10. The Direct Cause • Zimmermann Telegram • A telegram from Germany to Mexico asking to make war against the U.S. - January 16, 1917. • "We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you.” – Arthur Zimmermann

12. U.S. in WWI • The U.S. officially entered WWI on April 6, 1917. • Over 4 million American military personnel served in the war, of which about 110,000 died (about 43,000 due to the Spanish Flu).