World War I: 12.3 United States Neutrality

Wilson Proposes Neutrality Wilson urged Americans to be: “Neutral in fact as well as in name... Impartial in thought as well as in action” Hoped to negotiate a settlement to the conflict

Was the US truly neutral? US remained neutral in action (AT FIRST) Few US citizens remained neutral in thought Most Americans backed the Allies due to British propaganda against Germany

Events Challenging Neutrality 1. British Naval Blockade 2. German “War Zone” 3. Sinking of the Lusitania 4. Sussex Pledge

1. British Naval Blockade Britain blockaded Germany and laid mines in the North Sea Stopped US ships bound for neutral countries and searched them Wilson protested this violation of US neutrality

German Submarine = U Boat

2. German “War Zone” 1915 Germany formed a war zone around Britain Any ship (including neutral) subject to U-Boat attack Wilson warned Germany they would be held responsible for any injury to American property or life on the seas

3. Sinking of the Lusitania May 7, 1915 German U-Boat sinks British passenger liner the Lusitania 1198 people killed –128 Americans Germans claimed it was blockade runner

3. Sinking of the Lusitania Wilson demands Germans pledge to halt attacks on civilian ships Germany defends itself: –Warned Americans in newspapers about sailing into war zone –Lusitania had arms aboard it

4. Sussex Pledge Issued by Germany U-Boats would give warning prior to attack - U-Boats would give warning prior to attack Wilson responded by threatening to cut diplomatic relations with Germany Wilson was now viewed as either too weak or as abandoning neutrali ty