American neutrality was a seemingly perfect idea considering in the beginning “the war engaged no vital American interest…” and claiming neutrality also allowed “the United States to trade safely with all nations at War…”(The American Promise, 647) Being able to trade with these nations was a priority for the United States, in 1913 the U.S economy fell into a recession, and stopping trade with Europe would damage the economy even more. Wilson also wanted to maintain American neutrality because America was a nation of immigrants, most of these immigrants being German, he feared that “our mixed populations would wage war on each other”. (The American Promise, 647) Even though America started out neutral most Americans sympathies laid with Britain and France. Americans remembered the help the French gave during the American Revolution, and they shared a connection to Great Britain because of “ language, culture, and a commitment to Liberty…” ( the American Promise, 647)
As the war went on it grew increasingly more difficult for America to stay neutral. Britain set up an economic blockade of Germany which the United States protested greatly. This blockade did not affect America's economy that greatly, but it violated American neutrality and started to alienate Germany. On May 7th, 1915 a German submarine torpedoed a British passenger liner, it killed 1,198 passengers, 128 of those passengers were U.S citizens. On May 10th Wilson announced that “further destruction of ships would be regarded as ‘deliberately unfriendly’ and might lead the United States to break diplomatic relations with Germany.” ( the American Promise, 648) after saying this Secretary of State Bryan resigned with the reasoning that the president had sent the United States into a collision with Germany.
Slowly but surely the United States stepped away from absolute neutrality. By 1916 the U.S was supplying its allies with 40% of their war materials. Britain and France ran out of money pay the U.S and started to ask for loans. Wilson was hesitant and argued that any “ loans by American Bankers to any foreign government which is at war are inconsistent with the true Spirit of neutrality”.(The American Promise, 649) Even though he was seemingly against it, Wilson allowed billions of dollars in loans to be given to France and Britain to allow American goods to keep flowing. In 1917 Germany cut off neutral shipping from reaching Great Britain, it also announced that its navy would resume unrestricted warfare, and start sinking any ship, enemy or neutral, without warning. Germany knew that this announcement would probably drag America into the war, but they took the chance hoping they would crush the British economy and bring Germany to victory before the troops got to Europe.
On February 25th 1917, Wilson was informed by British authorities that a secret telegram was sent by Arthur Zimmerman, the German foreign secretary, to the German minister in Mexico promising that if Germany and the United States went to war Germany would see that Mexico would regain its lost territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if Mexico were to declare war against the United States. In March a German submarine sank five American ships killing 66 citizens, Wilson responded to this by asking Congress to issue a declaration of war against Germany. Finally on April 6th, 1917 Congress voted to declare war. After this declaration Wilson said “Once lead this people into war, and they'll forget there was ever such a thing as tolerance. To Fight you must be brutal and ruthless, in the spirit of ruthless brutality will infect Congress, the courts, the police on the beat, the man in the street.” (The American Promise, 650)
As the war went on it grew increasingly more difficult for America to stay neutral. Britain set up an economic blockade of Germany which the United States protested greatly. This blockade did not affect America's economy that greatly, but it violated American neutrality and started to alienate Germany. On May 7th, 1915 a German submarine torpedoed a British passenger liner, it killed 1,198 passengers, 128 of those passengers were U.S citizens. On May 10th Wilson announced that “further destruction of ships would be regarded as ‘deliberately unfriendly’ and might lead the United States to break diplomatic relations with Germany.” ( the American Promise, 648) after saying this Secretary of State Bryan resigned with the reasoning that the president had sent the United States into a collision with Germany.
Slowly but surely the United States stepped away from absolute neutrality. By 1916 the U.S was supplying its allies with 40% of their war materials. Britain and France ran out of money pay the U.S and started to ask for loans. Wilson was hesitant and argued that any “ loans by American Bankers to any foreign government which is at war are inconsistent with the true Spirit of neutrality”.(The American Promise, 649) Even though he was seemingly against it, Wilson allowed billions of dollars in loans to be given to France and Britain to allow American goods to keep flowing. In 1917 Germany cut off neutral shipping from reaching Great Britain, it also announced that its navy would resume unrestricted warfare, and start sinking any ship, enemy or neutral, without warning. Germany knew that this announcement would probably drag America into the war, but they took the chance hoping they would crush the British economy and bring Germany to victory before the troops got to Europe.
On February 25th 1917, Wilson was informed by British authorities that a secret telegram was sent by Arthur Zimmerman, the German foreign secretary, to the German minister in Mexico promising that if Germany and the United States went to war Germany would see that Mexico would regain its lost territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if Mexico were to declare war against the United States. In March a German submarine sank five American ships killing 66 citizens, Wilson responded to this by asking Congress to issue a declaration of war against Germany. Finally on April 6th, 1917 Congress voted to declare war. After this declaration Wilson said “Once lead this people into war, and they'll forget there was ever such a thing as tolerance. To Fight you must be brutal and ruthless, in the spirit of ruthless brutality will infect Congress, the courts, the police on the beat, the man in the street.” (The American Promise, 650)
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