The US-Neutrality to War (1914-1917)

Wilson's declaration of neutrality

offer loans, sell weapons & supplies to both sides, said americans should stay unbiased bc people with different backgrounds & thought war would end quick; pleased americans bc Washington's Farewell Address but conflict with foreign immigrants who had ties to their homeland (19 August 1914)

trade with the Allies

American Industry prospered off of trade with the Allied nations

trade with the Central powers

wasn't allowed bc british blockade against germany

British Blockade

The British blockaded the German coast to prevent weapons and other military supplies from getting through the seas. American ships carrying goods for Germany refused to challenge the blockade bc of economic ties to Britain. As a result, Germany had a famine and soldiers were starving to death

The German U-boat offensive

way to challenge Britain blockades by sinking Britain ships without warning in area around Britain which Germany called "war zone"; Wilson said it violated international law & warned Germany (Sep 14 1914)

Lusitania

A British passenger liner that a German submarine (u-boat) sank killing more than 1,000 people including 139 US citizens; Germany made excuse of saying Lusitania was armed & had weapons/amunitions (7 May 1915)

Arabic and Sussex Pledges

Pledges made by the Germany after the sinking of the British passenger vessel Arabic (1915) and the French steamer Sussex (1916); promised to spare lives in future u-boat attacks on merchant ships if US stopped British blockade; Wilson accepted pormise but not condiiton

Preparedness Movement

beginning in 1915, before U.S. entry into World War I, a movement led by former president Theodore Roosevelt that called on the government to increase U.S. military strength (army) and convince Americans of the need for U.S. involvement in the war

Bryce Commision/Report

used to verify atrocious stoires, espeically about gemran attacks in belgium 1918

German espionage efforts in the U.S.

german spies were in US so Wilson distrusted German-Americans bc he thought they were sabotaging, fueled resentment against Germany

Black Tom Explosion

black tom's munition plants mysteriously exploding, expensive damage, german sabotagers blamed (1916)

National Defense Act

This act, in response to the Lusitania, increased the standing Federal army to 175,000 and permitted that it be enlarged to 223,00. It also increased the National Guard to 440,000 and introduced ROTC in schools (1916)

Naval Act

This act authorized $500 million in a three year expansion of the American navy 1916

Wilson's "peace Without Victors" Speech

talked to both sides about what they consider a truce is realized lasting peace unlikely if any belligerents were resentful bc losing side would be humiliated, etc; wilson wanted to remain above conflict to maintain credibility as peacemaker (22 January 1917)

resumption of unrestricted U-boat warfare

Germany intended to sink all ships found in war zone around Britain; thought Allies would surrender before US could make a diff. in the situation; final effort to win (1 February 1917)

Zimmerman Telegram (March 1917)

A telegram Germany Sent to Mexico to convince Mexico to attack the U.S. by saying Germany would get Mexio back their territory; britain decoded message and told US

Wilson's war message to Congress (2 April 1917)

asked congress for authroity to declare war on Germany bc US had been provoked (u-boat, espionage, zimmerman telegram)