United States Neutrality WWIA. Contextualization World War I began in Europe in 1914 and lasted until 1918. The United States attempted to stay neutral from European affairs. The financial and human costs of this devastating conflict were enormous and there were several factors that led to the outbreak of war in Europe: Remember M-A-N-I-A?!Militarism – countries ready to fight in a moment’s notice; countries building up an army & weapons. Alliance –secret treaties binding European powers to come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack. Nationalism – loyalty, love and devotion to a nation by promoting its culture and interests. Imperialism –strong country takes over a weaker one to acquire raw materials, new markets, power, prestige.Assassination – Serbian nationalists killed the Archduke of Austria – Hungary.

B. Wilson and U.S. NeutralityThe tendency of many Americans to favor the Allied Powers was increased in the first week of the war when the German army, on its way to France, invaded and overran Belgium. Reports of German atrocities in Belgium, many of them exaggerated, filled the newspapers. Keenly aware of the feelings dividing Americans, President Wilson issued a declaration of U.S. neutrality: (August 19, 1914)

“My fellow Americans: The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Everyone who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and friendliness to all concerned. The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from nations now at war. It is natural that some will wish one nation, others another, to win this great struggle. Such divisions among us might seriously stand in the way of carrying out our duty as the one great nation at peace, [the] one people holding it ready to play the role of impartial umpire, urging peace and compromises as a friend. I therefore speak a solid word of warning to you against passionately taking sides. The United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought as well as in action.”

1. How does the U.S. benefit if they remain neutral in the war? Explain!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. Exports to Warring Nations and Immigrants in U.S.1. U.S. Exports to Great Britain, France 2. Value of U.S. Merchandise Exports to & Germany, 1912-1916 Great Britain and Germany 1914-1916

3. People of European Background in the United States 1910

(Total United States Population: 91, 972,266)*Excludes Ireland

2. Can the U.S. trade with warring nations, and still declare neutrality? Explain. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. Freedom of the Seas- Reasons to Enter WarIn World War I (as in the War of 1812), the trouble for the U.S. arose from efforts of the belligerent powers to stop supplies from reaching the enemy. The first major crisis challenging U.S. neutrality and peace was the torpedoing and sinking of a British passenger liner, the Lusitania, on May 7, 1915. Of the 1,195 passengers who drowned, 128 were American. The sinking of the Lusitania became one of the reasons for hastening the U.S.’s involvement in WWI, for though it was carrying munitions in its holds, it was being operated as a civilian vessel.Germany justifies sinking the Lusitania, (May 28, 1915) “The government of the United States proceeds on the assumption that the Lusitania is to be considered an ordinary, unarmed merchant vessel. According to reports at hand here, the Lusitania…undoubtedly had guns on board which were mounted under [deck] and masked...High rewards have been offered by the British government as a special incentive for the destruction of German submarines by merchant vessels... In view of these facts…imperial government is unable to consider English merchant vessels as 'undefended territory' in the zone of maritime war…The German government believes that it acts in just self-defense when it seeks to protect the lives of soldiers by destroying ammunition destined for the enemy with the means of war at its command.”

Year Britain Germany1914 $594 m. $345 m. 1915 $912 m. $29 m.1916 $ 1887 m. $ 2 m.

Country of Origin Foreign-Born

American Born with One or Two Foreign-Born

ParentsTotal

Germany 2,501,181 5,781,437 8,282,618Austria-Hungry 1,670,524 1,031,262 2,701,786Great Britain* 1,219,968 2,011,084 3,231,052Russia 1,732,421 1,020,254 2,752,675Italy 1,343,070 755,290 2,098,360

Immediate Causes—The Zimmerman NoteWilson continued to hesitate entering the war, but a series of events in March 1917 as well as the president’s hopes for arranging a permanent peace in Europe, convinced him that U.S. participation in the war was now unavoidable. On March 1, U.S. newspapers carried the shocking news of a secret offer made by Germany to Mexico. The “Zimmermann Note” was a telegram sent by German Foreign Minister Alfred Zimmermann to the German minister in Mexico. British intelligence intercepted the note and turned it over to the United States Department of State. After being released to the press, it aroused American public opinion. When questioned, Zimmermann verified the authenticity of the note. January 19, 1917:On the first of February we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to keep the United States of America neutral. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together against the United States and together we shall make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to re-conquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The rest of the details are left for your settlement. You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that the United States will enter the war.

Wilson’s Response to Zimmerman Note (February 3, 1917)“I think that you will agree with me that, in view of this (submitted) declaration...this Government has no alternative, consistent with the dignity and honor of the United States, but to take the course which...it announced it that would take... I have, therefore, directed the Secretary of State to announce to His Excellency the German Ambassador that all diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Germany are severed... We do not desire any hostile conflict with the Imperial German Government... We shall not believe that they are hostile to us unless and until we are obligated to believe it… we wish to serve no selfish ends. We...seek merely to vindicate our right to liberty and justice and an unmolested life. These are the bases of peace, not war. God grant we may not be challenged to defend them by acts of willful injustice on the part of the Government of Germany!” 3. Considering all of this information, did Americans have a right to be so angered by these events? Explain. Is neutrality still an option for the U.S.? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________E. Opposition to WarMany Americans, especially in the Midwest and West, were adamantly opposed to preparedness, fearing that it would soon lead to U.S. involvement in the war. The antiwar activists included Populists, Progressives, and Socialists.(1) “It is practically impossible for the officers of a submarine to visit a merchantman at sea and examine her papers and cargo. It is practically impossible for them to make a prize of her; and, if they cannot put a prize crew on board of her, they cannot sink her without leaving her crew and all on board of her to the mercy of the sea and her small boats…. submarines cannot be used against merchantmen, as the last few weeks have shown, without an inevitable violation of sacred principles of justice and humanity. American citizens act within their indisputable rights in taking their ships and traveling whenever their legitimate business calls them upon the high seas…”

-- President Wilson’s first diplomatic protest to Germany (May 13, 1915)

(2)“One alternative is to…enforce our rights against Great Britain as we have enforced our rights against Germany; demand that both these nations shall respect our neutral rights upon the high seas… and give notice that we will enforce those rights….The other alternative is to withdraw commerce from both. The mere suggestion that food supplies would be withheld from both sides impartially would compel belligerents to observe the principle of freedom of the seas for neutral commerce.” – Senator Robert LaFollette (April 4, 1917)

(3) “There are many honest, patriotic citizens who think we ought to engage in this war and who are behind the Presidentin his demand that we should declare war against Germany. I think such people…to a great extent have been misled…by the unanimous demand of the great combination of wealth that has a direct financial interest in our participation in the war. We have loaned many hundreds of millions of dollars to the Allies in this controversy…There is no doubt in my mind that…money loaned to the Allies has been instrumental in bringing about a public sentiment (feelings) in favor of our country taking a course that would make every bond worth a hundred cents on the dollar...Through this and also through…others who have not only made millions out of the war in the manufacture of munitions, etc.….a large number of the great newspapers…have been controlled and enlisted in the greatest propaganda that the world has ever known, to manufacture sentiment (feelings) in favor of the war. We are going into war upon command of gold…We ought to remember the advice of the Father of our country and keep out of entangling alliances. Let Europe solve her problems as we have solved ours…” – Senator George Norris (April 4, 1917)

4. Is Washington’s idea of neutrality still a viable option by this time? Do you agree with Wilson and the senators?

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