🌍 Early U.S. Neutrality & Diplomacy

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. President (1913–1921); promoted Moral Diplomacy, led U.S. in WWI, proposed Fourteen Points.

Moral Diplomacy

Wilson’s policy promoting democracy and ethics over self

Internationalists

Americans who wanted U.S. to guide world affairs morally.

Isolationists

Wanted the U.S. to avoid foreign entanglements.

Porfirio Díaz / Francisco Madero / Victoriano Huerta / Venustiano Carranza / Pancho Villa

Mexican Revolution leaders; U.S. intervened under Wilson; Villa’s 1916 raid attacked U.S. soil.

Pancho Villa Raid

1916 attack on a New Mexico town; led Wilson to send troops before WWI diverted focus.

Neutrality Proclamation (1914)

Wilson’s declaration of U.S. neutrality when WWI began.

British Blockade

British Navy blocked supplies to Germany; restricted U.S. trade.

Declaration of London (1908)

International code on naval warfare; Britain ignored rules.

U

boat (Unrestricted Submarine Warfare)

Lusitania (May 7 1915)

British passenger liner sunk by German U

William Jennings Bryan

Wilson’s Secretary of State; resigned over Lusitania response.

Robert Lansing

Replaced Bryan; favored stronger action against Germany.

Sussex Pledge (1916)

Germany promised to warn ships before attacking; later broke pledge.

Preparedness Movement

Campaign urging military buildup before 1917; led by T. Roosevelt & business leaders.

Opponents of Preparedness

Peace groups, Progressives, Women’s Peace Party, Quakers, Bryan.

Election of 1916

Wilson reelected with slogan “He Kept Us Out of War.”

Zimmermann Note (1917)

German telegram to Mexico promising U.S. territory for alliance; intercepted by Britain.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Resumed (1917)

Germany’s renewal of all

Economic Ties to Allies

U.S. banks and businesses lent billions to Allies, increasing stake in their victory.