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: – Long ties of language, history, culture through Britain– U.S. & France had been allies in the American Revolution

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?)

Effects of War

Economic Effects on the U.S.:Economy boomed as farmers/ manufacturers

rushed to fill orders for war goods

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??

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

VSALLIED

POWERSCENTRAL

POWERS

U.S. claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict– Early in the war, Britain

blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender

– In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain

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

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

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

Wilson threatened to break any ties if Germany didn’t stop sinking passenger ships

– 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 & give warning• This kept us out of war for the

time being

Heyyyy

From Neutrality to WarEven 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

Wilson’s image improved as he “kept us out of war” & he won

Warmonger: person who tries to stir up war

R D

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?

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

Revolution in Russia

• German subs sank several American merchant ships• Revolution in Russia drove 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

War Comes“The World Must be Made Safe for Democracy”

April 6, 1917: Wilson declares war