American Neutrality American Neutrality in World Warin World War II

1914-19171914-1917

NeutralityNeutrality

““All Americans All Americans ought to be ought to be neutral in fact, as neutral in fact, as well as in name well as in name … impartial in … impartial in thought as well thought as well as in action” – as in action” – Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson

Easier Said than Done!Easier Said than Done! Most Americans backed Allies – Most Americans backed Allies –

common language, ancestry, common language, ancestry, culture. French were allies during culture. French were allies during American Revolution.American Revolution.

British propaganda painted Germans British propaganda painted Germans as “brutal war mongers”.as “brutal war mongers”.

Many immigrants were from Many immigrants were from Germany, Austria-Hungary.Germany, Austria-Hungary.

U.S Merchants and Banks do major U.S Merchants and Banks do major business will Allies.business will Allies.

Challenges to Neutrality Challenges to Neutrality German U-Boat German U-Boat

attacks.attacks. Germany treats Germany treats

sea around G.B. sea around G.B. as “war zone”.as “war zone”.

Wilson: Wilson: Germany Germany accountable for accountable for any Americans any Americans killed.killed.

German U-Boat sinks British ocean liner Lusitania – May 7, 1915. 128 Americans Die.

Challenges to Neutrality Challenges to Neutrality Germans sink French passenger liner Germans sink French passenger liner

Sussex. Americans outraged.Sussex. Americans outraged. Sussex PledgeSussex Pledge – Germany promises – Germany promises

not to sink merchant vessels without not to sink merchant vessels without warning and saving human lives. warning and saving human lives.

Wilson reelected “kept us out of war”.Wilson reelected “kept us out of war”. National Defense ActNational Defense Act – Creates – Creates

National Guard, increases army, navy, National Guard, increases army, navy, military spending (must be prepared military spending (must be prepared just in case)just in case)

Zimmermann Note Zimmermann Note Berlin, January 19, 1917 Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare

unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. neutral the United States of America.

If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to re-conquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico is to re-conquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....

You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. between Germany and Japan.

Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. England to make peace in a few months.

ZimmermanZimmerman(Secretary of State) (Secretary of State)

U.S. Declares WarU.S. Declares War

Americans outraged.Americans outraged. Wilson asks Congress to declare war.Wilson asks Congress to declare war. ““We shall fight for the things which we have We shall fight for the things which we have

always carried nearest our hearts, for always carried nearest our hearts, for democracy … and to bring peace and safety democracy … and to bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at to all nations and make the world itself at last free”.last free”.

Congress declares war – April 6, 1917.Congress declares war – April 6, 1917.

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

Germany and France dug trenches on Western Front. Germany and France dug trenches on Western Front. Millions died in “no-man’s-land” between trenches. Millions died in “no-man’s-land” between trenches.

New WeaponsNew Weapons

Poison GasPoison Gas Chlorine or mustard gas melted soldiers lungs. Chlorine or mustard gas melted soldiers lungs.

New WeaponsNew Weapons

Machine GunsMachine Guns Fired 600 rounds per minute.Fired 600 rounds per minute.

New WeaponsNew Weapons

TanksTanks Very hard to maneuver in muddy conditions. Very hard to maneuver in muddy conditions.

New WeaponsNew Weapons

AirplanesAirplanes Gather information, shoot enemy planesGather information, shoot enemy planes Dogfights Dogfights