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American Neutrality

American Neutrality. U.S. wanted to avoid intermingling with European war – we adopt an official position of neutrality Public opinion was divided between Allied Powers & Central Powers. Allied Powers - Support: . L ong ties of language, history, culture through Britain

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American Neutrality

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  1. American Neutrality • U.S. wanted to avoid intermingling with European war – we adopt an official position of neutrality • Public opinion was divided between Allied Powers & Central Powers

  2. Allied Powers - Support: • Long ties of language, history, culture through Britain • U.S. & France had been allies in the American Revolution

  3. Central Powers - Support: • 8 million Americans with German or Austrian descent • Millions of Irish Americans sympathized- they hate Britain who had ruled them for centuries • Jews favored Germany against Russia • some had fled persecution in Russia not long ago (remember pogroms?)

  4. Effects of War

  5. Economic Effects on the U.S.: Economy boomed as farmers/ manufacturers rushed to fill orders for war goods

  6. Trade Effects on the U.S.: • By 1917 trade with Allies greatly increased • Trade with Central Powers increased too (smaller amount) • *Trade imbalance??.....not strictly neutral Is it this or that??

  7. Propaganda • Both sides waged a propaganda war in the U.S. • Propaganda: spreading of ideas that help a cause or hurt an opposing cause • Each side pictured the other as savage beasts who killed innocent civilians CENTRAL POWERS ALLIED POWERS VS

  8. U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict • Early in the war, Britainblockaded Germanports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender • In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain

  9. To enforce the blockade, Germany used a fleet of U-boats U-Boat: a German boat that attacked any ship that entered or left British ports This meant neutral ships would also be attacked

  10. U-Boat attacks on neutral shipping raised a ton of protest • Under international law, a country at war could stop & search a neutral ship suspected of carrying war goods • BUT U-boats simply torpedoed enemy & neutral ships • Germany warned the U.S. & other neutral nations to keep their ships out of blockade zones • Wilson vowed to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of U.S. life/ property

  11. Murder on the High Seas • Germany ignored Wilson’s warning • May 7, 1915: German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland • Lusitania: British passenger ship carrying British & U.S. civilians • 1,200 people died (128 Americans) Start recognizing signs that we are NOT truly neutral

  12. Wilson threatened to break any ties if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships Heyyyy • Germany agreed • Didn’t want to pull U.S. into Allied Powers • Sussex Pledge: before attacking any ship, Germany promised that U-boats would surface & givewarning • This kept us out of war for the time being

  13. From Neutrality to War Even though he preached neutrality & peace, Wilson began to prepare stronger army/ navy 1916 – Wilson runs for reelection against Charles Hughes (R) • Hughes favored neutrality, but democrats used propaganda to portray him as a warmonger R • Wilson’s image improved as he “kept us out of war” & he won D • Warmonger: person who tries to stir up war

  14. Moving Towards War • Germany had decided to renew sub-warfare in a desperate attempt to break Allied blockades • Germany knew renewed U-boat attacks would bring the U.S. into war • They gambled they would defeat the Allies before U.S. got involved • Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany • What does “diplomatic” mean?

  15. Zimmermann Telegram • Urged Mexico into attacking the U.S. if U.S. declared war on Germany. • In return, Germany would help Mexico win back its “lost provinces” in the American SW • Texas, Arizona, N. Mexico • This caused anti-German feelings to SOAR

  16. Revolution in Russia • German subs sank several American merchant ships • Revolution in Russiadrove Czar Nicholas II from power • Czars: Russian emperors who rule with absolute power • Revolutionaries rebelled against czar, as their economy dwindled & there were food shortages • Wilson welcomed the Russian Revolution • Firm believer in democracy • Against his principles to be an ally of an absolute ruler

  17. War Comes “The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy” April 6, 1917: Wilson declares war

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