American Neutrality and
Entry into World War I
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Early Statement
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American leaders wanted to ensure that
no country gained control of Europe since
that would threaten US’s security and
economy
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Maintain open door policy and freedom of the seas
German militarism was seen as a greater
threat to American interests than French
and British Democracy
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Whoever wins; gains control of the others colonies in
Africa and Asia along with Naval control
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Early Statement of Neutrality
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The U.S. was determined to adopt a stance of
rigid neutrality at the start of the war, and
President Wilson announced the American
stance to this effect shortly after war broke out,
on 19 August 1914, reflecting U.S. popular
opinion.
During his address, he warned U.S. citizens
against taking sides in the war for fear of
endangering the wider U.S. policy.
"The effect of the war upon the United States
will depend upon what American citizens say
and do. Every man who really loves America
will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality,
which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness
and friendliness to all concerned."
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Early Statement of Neutrality
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Questions to consider:
1) Why did Wilson not want the United States
involved in World War I?
2) Do you believe Wilson was representing the
will of the general public? Why or why not?
Handout
4
America as a Mediator of Peace
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Many American leaders felt that the proper role for the United States
was a mediator of peace, though this avenue was exhausted shortly
after the war began.
The excerpt references a discussion between Colonel Edward
House, who was one of President Wilson’s closest confidants, and a
British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey.
The tone is obviously one of optimism on the side of the Americans,
and reluctance from the Allied camp.
"My suggestion is to ask the Allies unofficially, to let me know
whether or not it would be agreeable to them to have us demand
that hostilities cease. We would put it upon the high ground that the
neutral world was suffering along with the belligerents and that we
had rights as well as they"
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Increasing American Involvement
with the Belligerents
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Despite official neutrality, a huge leap in loans and
exports to the Allies led to a vested interest in an Allied
victory.
US trade to the Allies increased from $825 million in
1914 to $3.2 billion in 1916. Loans=$2.3 Billion
Exports to Germany and its allies rapidly diminished in
parallel to a significant rise in shipping to Britain and
France. ($170 Million to $1.2 million)
Such disparities in trade between the two led to
increasing conflict both domestically and internationally
as many leaders at home and abroad bristled at the U.S.
seemingly favoring the Allies.
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Increasing American Involvement
with the Belligerents
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The handout includes a letter from then Secretary of State William
Jennings Bryan to the President. The letter reveals Bryan's
reluctance at allowing the countries at war to borrow American
money, fearful these loans would project the appearance of
choosing sides in the largely European conflict. A response to
Bryan's position by his successor, Robert Lansing is also included.
Questions to consider:
1) Was the United States choosing sides? Why was Bryan hesitant
to do so?
2) Did the U.S. have a responsibility to lend money to the Allied
camp? Why or why not?
Handout
7
Conflict with Britain on
Disruption of American Trade
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Although German submarine warfare exacted a heavy toll on
American trade, the British were also responsible for
negatively impacting the ability of American goods to enter
neutral ports.
The excerpt below is from a letter from a British diplomat
explaining the practice of prohibiting the U.S. from trading
certain items with fellow neutrals.
"We think that much misconception exists as to the extent to which
we have, in practice, interfered with trade..... the products of the
great industries of the United States have been denied longestablished markets in European countries which, though neutral,
are contiguous to the seat of war. Such a result is far from being the
intention of His Majesty's Government, and they would exceedingly
regret that it should be due to their action."
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9
American Conflict with Germany
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American Response to
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
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On 4 February, the German Admiralty issued a formal declaration,
which warned neutral shipping to stay away from the waters
surrounding Britain and Ireland from 18 February 1915 onwards.
Six days later U.S. President Woodrow Wilson - at that time
maintaining a neutral stance - issued a warning to the German
government.
This excerpt is his 'Strict Accountability' message, which made it clear
that the U.S. government would not tolerate any strategy by the
German navy to sink neutral U.S. shipping at any time.
"If such a deplorable situation should arise, the Imperial German
Government can readily appreciate that the Government of the United
States would....take any steps it might be necessary to take to
safeguard American lives and property and to secure to American
citizens the full enjoyment of their acknowledged rights on the high
seas"
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American Response to
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
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The Germans hope they could win the war
before the US could make its weight felt.
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Strangle Britain before US intervention
Unrestricted submarine warfare
threatened all of the US’s goals:
commerce, concept of natural rights,
security, and ability to dictate peace
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Without US supplies the Allies would lose the
war
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American Response to
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
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Questions to consider:
1) Discuss the implications of Wilson's
address? Did such an address essentially
end the American stance of neutrality?
2) How would sinking neutral American
ships be advantageous to the Germans?
Discuss their submarine blockade
strategy.
Handout
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American Response to the
Sinking of the Lusitania
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The German sinking of the Lusitania on 7 May 1915, with its
consequent loss of American life provoked great public and diplomatic
anger within the U.S.
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1,200 dead including 128 American citizens
Already concerned at Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine
warfare, many in the U.S. believed the sinking of the Lusitania to be a
calculated provocation of the U.S. on Germany's part.
Below is the official American response to the tragedy issued by
Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan.
"The government of the United States, therefore, desires to call the attention
of the Imperial German government, with the utmost earnestness, to the fact
that the objection to their present method of attack against the trade of their
enemies lies in the practical impossibility of employing submarines in the
destruction of commerce without disregarding those rules of fairness, reason,
justice, and humanity which all modern opinion regards as imperative.“
September German pledges not to sink passenger ships without warning
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American Response to the
Sinking of the Lusitania
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Questions to consider:
1) Do you think the sinking of the Lusitania
was meant to provoke the United States?
Why or why not?
2) How did the sinking of the Lusitania
influence American involvement in World
War I?
Handout
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Zimmerman Telegram
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The Zimmerman Telegram helped to move public opinion
away from any possible reconciliation with Germany.
British intercepted the telegram; Lazaro Carranza refused
"On the first of February we intend to begin submarine
warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to
endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance
on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make
war together and together make peace. We shall give
general financial support, and it is understood that
Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico,
Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for
settlement...."
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Arthur Zimmerman, German Foreign Secretary
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Zimmerman Telegram
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Questions to consider:
1) Discuss the Mexican dilemma created
by the Zimmerman Telegram. Do you think
Mexico could have been successful?
2) Was such a risky move on the part of
the Germans a clever strategy? Did the
benefits outweigh the costs? Why or why
not?
Handout
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Reasons to join the war
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US loans would not be repaid
Germany would control Europe and its
trade
Wilson would look weak if all democracies
in Europe fell without the United States
Without involvement the US would not
have a say on post-war peace
Declaration of War
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A resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 convinced
American leaders that war with Germany was the only option.
Other factors, such as suspicions of German involvement with
Mexico (via the Zimmermann Telegram), solidified popular opinion
against Germany.
Declaration of War on April 6, 1917
This excerpt is from Wilson's war message to Congress.
"I have called the Congress into extraordinary session because
there are serious, very serious, choices of policy to be made, and
made immediately, which it was neither right nor constitutionally
permissible that I should assume the responsibility of making. . . .
The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a
warfare against mankind."
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The Entry of Canada
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French were not interested in the British
pressure to join the war
French believed that Canada’s
contribution would be the protection of
Canada
English Canadians disagreed and felt
loyalty to the crown and argued that the
British Navy protected Canada
The Entry of Canada
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Wilfrid Laurier- Canadian Parliament passed the
Naval Service Bill of 1910- Royal Canadian
Navy
Conservative Robert Borden wins the election in
1911
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Canada entered automatically as part of the British
Empire (8/4/1914)
War Measures Act- federal government could
oversee the economy and restrict civil liberties if
they impede the war effort
The Entry of Canada
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Canadian Army of 3,000
grew to 30,000 by October;
Canadian 1st Division
1917 1st Canadian attack at
Vimy Ridge and victory
Eventually 4 divisions made
up the Canadian Corps
Royal Navy escorted Allied
merchant ships
Canadian Pilots made up
25% of Britain's air force
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
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Canada at Home
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During the war Canadian bitterness was at its highest point since
Louis Riel hanging
Debate about French in school; Conservative Protestants and Irish
Catholics
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Ontario Department of Education made English the official language
and Manitoba also abolished French
Debate broke out in Canada over conscription
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Borden had promised a force of 500,000 believed their commitment to
war was the only way to be an equal partner
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French Canadians were not allowed to be officers; English was
the official language
Draft was instituted by the Military Service act of 1917 but few
draftees sent overseas
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Canada at Home
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First national income tax and a tax on business
profits helped pay for the war effort
Suppressed foreign language press
Wartime Elections Act of September 1917
disfranchised Canadians of enemy origin
50% increase in cost of living
Women moved into the workforce; 2,500 served
as nurses; 56 died in service
60,000 killed in action; 200,000 wounded of the
625,000 in uniform
Entry of Canada Assignment
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A History of the Canadian Peoples
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Read and take notes- p.288 to end of chapter
After the reading, find a second source
that analyzes the entrance of Canada into
WWI.
Reasons for Canadian Involvement?
 Nature of Participation?
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