American Neutrality and Entry into World War I

Early Statement American leaders wanted to ensure that no country gained control of Europe since that would threaten US’s security and economy 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 Whoever wins; gains control of the others colonies in Africa and Asia along with Naval control

Early Statement of Neutrality 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."

Early Statement of Neutrality 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

America as a Mediator of Peace 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"

Increasing American Involvement with the Belligerents 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.

Increasing American Involvement with the Belligerents 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

Conflict with Britain on Disruption of American Trade 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 long-established 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."

American Conflict with Germany

American Response to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 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"

American Response to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare The Germans hope they could win the war before the US could make its weight felt. 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 Without US supplies the Allies would lose the war

American Response to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 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

American Response to the Sinking of the Lusitania 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. 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

American Response to the Sinking of the Lusitania 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

Zimmerman Telegram 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...." Arthur Zimmerman, German Foreign Secretary

Zimmerman Telegram 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

Reasons to join the war 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 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."

The Entry of Canada 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 Wilfrid Laurier- Canadian Parliament passed the Naval Service Bill of 1910- Royal Canadian Navy Conservative Robert Borden wins the election in 1911 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 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

Canada at Home During the war Canadian bitterness was at its highest point since Louis Riel hanging Debate about French in school; Conservative Protestants and Irish Catholics Ontario Department of Education made English the official language and Manitoba also abolished French Debate broke out in Canada over conscription Borden had promised a force of 500,000 believed their commitment to war was the only way to be an equal partner 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

Canada at Home 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 A History of the Canadian Peoples 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?