US and WWI History Packet

The US on the Eve of Entrance

US very wealthy and industrial, standard of living higher in US than in Europe, wealth was unevenly distributed, socially - US was mostly WASP with immigration from all over Europe causing social/racial tensions

Neutrality… It Should Be Better Than a Poke in the Eye

August 1914 Wilson announced neutrality, supporting one side could have caused argument in a country that had not yet a distinctive “american” identity, US benefited economically - lent money to Allied and sold munition and food while also replacing some of German economy, US gradually drifted into war, Americans sympathized with Allied and blamed DE, US and GB were closer due to common language and similar costumes and institutions, most Americans wanted to stay out of war

Neutrality of the Seas

International law stated neutral countries could trade non-military goods with any country but GB wanted blockade, GB limited US to ship freely sometimes allowing shipments through, turning them back, or confiscating them, July 1916 GB irritated Wilson releasing a “Blacklist” of companies trading with DE that would no longer be allowed through, GB was walking on a thin line, Wilson sometimes making demands and GB sometimes going with it and sometimes not, 1915 GB forbade cotton shipment to DE promising to buy enough cotton to not hurt southern economy, trade between Allied and US fueled US economy but also drew it closer to war, to make purchases Allied got US loans

Lusitania Crisis

February 1915 DE begins unrestricted submarine warfare, US warned DE that they would be held responsible, sinking of Lusitania killing 128 Americans in May 1915 caused anger, passenger ship carried war goods for GB, prior to attack DE warned US citizens to not enter boat, Wilson sends note to DE demanding 1. recognition of American right to cross sea, 2. renounce use of unsub, 3. compensation for victims, Americans still did not want to go to war, since US was nutral Bryan wanted a similar note for GB but Wilson said no, DE stopped unsub fearing that US would enter war but also explained that it was act of defense, Wilson favoring Allies caused Bryan to resign - Lansing replaces him as Secretary of State who believed US would join war eventually, DE attacked another passenger boat causing DE ambassador to take unauthorized action in September 1915 sending the Arabic Pledge - stating passenger ships would not be sunk as long as they do not try to escape, 1916 DE expressed regret and agreed to reparations

Loans to Europe

Allies first drew money that the US owed them, J.P. Morgan Company asked if it was allowed to loan money to involved countries after France and GB had requested - as long as businesses would lend money US would not be involved, October 1914 Wilson and Bryan allow for credits that could only be used to buy US goods meant to show neutrality, October 1915 US authorized loans - stimulated economy, merchants provided munition, Spring 1917 US had loaned 2.3 bil to Allies and only 27 mil to DE

Mediation Attempts

Colonel E. House - Wilson’s trusted foreign policy advisor, House went to Europe looking for conditions allowing for peace, not able to, he promises (without Wilson knowing) that US would only intervene if Allied begin loosing ground, he met with British Foreign Secretary Grey - offering moral force (authorized) and physical force (unauthorized), House Grey Memo - US invited DE to peace talks and refusal would end in military involvement, Wilson added word “probably” seeming indecisive, both Allied and DE refuse offer

The Sussex Pledge

March 1916 DE attacks passenger ship Sussex, due to pressure Wilson sends ultimatum stating that DE further attacks of passenger ships would cause breakage of diplomatic relations, DE responds with Sussex Pledge - 1 .no longer target passenger ships, 2. merchant ships with weapons would be sunk, 3. ships would only be sunk with safety of crew and passengers, 4. does not apply to ships resisting or escaping, 5. depended on US convincing GB to drop blockade, US had no choice at that facing ether submission or war

A Quiet Build-Up

1915 more people were pushing for preparations, with U-boat crisis Wilson quietly increased military planning, army, and navy, National Defense Act of 1916 - increased navy and national guard and allowed military training at colleges, Merchant Marine Act of 1916 - created US shipping Board helping to manage and maintain merchant vessels

The Election of 1916

Wilson (D) vs. C. E. Hughes (R), Wilson promised neutrality and many reform programs, Hughes urged preparedness while favoring peace, Wilson barely won showing that people did not want war

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare is Back … Again

US-German relations had improved, Germans believed that US would be Allied savior but military leaders believed that unsub would force GB to surrender before US could mobilize, DE Ambassador Bernstorff notified Lansing that blockade forced DE to return to unsub, was huge gamble by DE assuming they could force surrender within 6 months, US cut diplomatic relations, neither government wanted to fight but policies allowed for only one step back into dishonor or forward into war

Zimmermann Telegram

GB intercepted telegram giving it to US ambassador Page, telegram suggested alliance between Mexico and DE if US would enter war in return DE would help Mexico to regain some of the cession land while also asking Carranza to invite Japan (AP) to join alliance, showed Wilson that DE should be dealt with because they presented multiple threats to US honor and security pushing US closer to war

On to War

Wilson equipped merchant ships with weapons causing DE to attack and sink multiple ships forcing Wilson to enter war, April 1917 US entered war with approval of congress

The US Refuses to Ratify … All that work for nothin’

February 1919 Wilson returns to US with draft of treaties realizing Congress was against it, Senate was Republican led, Wilson goes to Europe wanting to do changes - Allied change covenant of the League saying that League could not interfere in domestic affairs and Nations could leave with 2 year notice, June T of Versailles was signed, 3 groups of Senate Opponents: 1. irreconcilables - opposed Treaty on any grounds, 2. mild reservationists - accepted Treaty but wanted changes weakening it, 3. strong reservationists - wanted major changes, these formed a majority, Wilson does not want to compromise, Americans wanted focus on domestic affairs, November Lodge wrote 14 Reservations opposing 14 points believing League would be threat to sovereignty and freedom of action, Treaty never passed having enormous implications on enforcement of Treaty and the League