In declared, “Anyone who talked of peace was

In declared, “Anyone who talked of peace was

In the early days of the First World War, the United States was desperate to stay out of the European war and institute a neutrality policy.

However, the two sides fought for U.S. support, often even at a danger to the U.S.The passive stand that America took in involvement in World War I only prolonged the inevitable and came at a price to the U.S.

The American public didn’t want to be involved in World War I, and Wilson and the democrats knew it, although neutrality was a difficult stand to take. The British, who wanted the Americans to back their side in the war, refused to back U.S.

peace drives. The Germans, who wanted the U.S. on their side, against Britain, violated pledges for the waters when it began U-boat attacks. This campaign was extended over many years. The two countries of Germany and England were desperate for the western giant’s support that would threaten American neutrality.

The American people, however, would rather stay of war, and lose their right to the seas. Both sides became increasingly angry with the American position of neutrality. England publicly declared, “Anyone who talked of peace was a friend of Germany.

” This created only hostility towards the British, but continued diplomacy with Germany. The underlying cause of this friendly nature was not to remain neutral. Wilson thought that if the Americans weren’t going to stand up for their rights to the seas, that this would be the way to reduce the submarine warfare. Wilson promoted peace at every turn, but both sides disliked the idea, in fact the Chancellor of Germany predicted that peace talks would be unsuccessful.

Wilson wanted to demand an end to the war, but at this point in the war, it would have ruined the Allies.If that were to ensue, the U.S.

would risk war with France or England. Then there was a breaking point. The German government deported 300,000 Belgians, which fired up anger in the Americans. Wilson was growing frustrated with the position of neutrality, but also realized what war did to people. So, he began to draw up new plans for American foreign policy. This plan called for an end to the financing of the Allied war effort by American banks, but the British were dependent on the American back up.

There was a great fear that the American economy would become too involved and dependent on war trade. Because of the British need for American support and the American lack of such, the Germans found the time to ask for peace. This would begin a peace campaign that was backed by unrestricted submarine warfare. Wilson advocated the peace effort. The Allies became angry with Wilson for “playing Germany’s game” and the Germans were angry because they suspected that the U.S.

was pro-British. The Allies later rejected the plan for peace. The Allies made it clear that Germany would pay for the war. The Germans returned the favor.

They warned of unrestricted submarine warfare and the possibility of war with America. Germans promised destruction of all American ships in war zones, and the destruction of neutral shipping boats. This was coupled with a desire to restrict Allied shipping and hinder their resources. Wilson quickly advocated an end to the war without the declaration of victory. Organizations were formed to keep the U.S.

out of war, but they were hastily put together and met with limited success. Germany still maintained its campaign of “sea terror.”The U.S. was not willing to enter the war.

Then came the Zimmerman note, which was a proposal to Mexico to start a war with the U.S. to get the U.S. involved in war, and Mexico would get the Mexican cession back.

Merchant ships had begun to arm themselves. A policy of “anything to protect American lives and commerce” was begun by many sea-going traders. But the president never authorized any of this. A bill was passed by Congress that allowed the President to wage an undeclared naval war.

Then, in March of 1914, three American merchant ships were sunk by the Germans, later the Lusitania and Sussex would be targeted. Although the majority of Americans did not wish to be involved in war, in 1917, the U.S. entered.Because of the determination of both sides to force America into World War I, it was inevitable that we should enter, by prolonging our neutrality, we merely were dodging the bullet.Bibliography: