3. America’s Entry into WWI

5. I. Entry into the War American Neutrality –Official proclamation at outset of war –Diverse Causes Tradition of Isolationism Ethnic Groups Economic Ties

7. I. Entry into the War Economic Ties –Wilson wanted to maintain trade with Allies and Central Power –British blockade effectively stopped trade with Germany –As such, trade with Allies became far greater –The US did lend to both Allies and Germans, however.

8. I. Entry into the War Disintegrating Neutrality –1915-16: Unrestricted German submarine warfare –Lusitania (1915) –1916: Sussex Pledge –By 1917, unrestricted submarine warfare resumed –Zimmerman Note

12. I. Entry into the War War –April of 1917, US official declares war on Germany –Roosevelt heartbroken

13. II. The “Corporate Liberal” Thesis Thesis: Wilson allowed/brought the US into the war for the sake of maintaining corporate and colonial interests.

14. II. The “Corporate Liberal” Thesis Wilson’s Foreign Policy: –Strongly interventionist in Latin America Mexico (1914) Haiti (1915) D.R. (1916) Mexico (1916) Cuba (1917) Panama (1918) Nicaragua (1912 and onwards)

17. II. The “Corporate Liberal” Thesis Hence, some historians have claimed that Wilson had been serving corporate interests well before the US entry into the War.

18. II. The “Corporate Liberal” Thesis The failure to treat the belligerent nations of Europe alike, the failure to reject the unlawful "war zones" of both Germany and Great Britain is wholly accountable for our present dilemma. —Senator Robert M. LaFollette Opposition to Wilson's War Message, April 4, 1917

19. II. The “Corporate Liberal” Thesis By 1917, American loans to the Allies had soared to $2.25 billion; loans to Germany stood at a paltry $27 million. -- The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

22. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Wilson was drawn into the war by forces beyond his control Specifically… –British blockade FORCED Wilson to act to protect trade –Nature of unrestricted submarine warfare also forced Wilson into action –Progressive Philosophy

23. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Economy- –Gov relied on 40% of its revenue from the tariff; faced 60-100 million dollar deficit if current trade levels were not maintained –The South, in particular, needed foreign markets for bumper crop

24. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Economy- –As such, Wilson authorized loans to Allies in an effort to protect the US economy, not to harm Germany.

25. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Submarine Warfare –Violated traditional rules of neutrality –Freedom of the seas was a major concern of Wilson’s even before the war

26. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Submarine Warfare –As such, Wilson responded in what he thought was a logical manner –Submarine warfare compounded by Zimmerman Note

27. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Progressive Philosophy –“Making the World Safe for Democracy” emerged from submarine warfare progressive philosophy –Writ large

28. III. Reluctant Leader Thesis Thus, Wilson was drawn into the conflict by forces beyond his control.

29. IV. Evaluation? Which thesis seems more valid?