Chapter 22 From Neutrality to War

Was it in the national interest of the United States to stay neutral or declare war in 1917?Chapter 22 From Neutrality to WarIntroductionEuropean countries had strained relationshipsJun 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary.Terrorist bombed their carFranz and wife Sophie unharmedLater on the route another terrorist shot & killed the couple

Archduke Ferdinand Began War?Murders set off a chain reactionAustria-Hungary declared war on SerbiaTerrorists were SerbianBosnia had been taken over by Austria-Hungary years earlierRussia sided w/ Serbia & declared war on Austria-HungaryGermany declared war on Russia & FranceBritain came to Frances defense & declared war on GermanyUnited States Tries to Stay NeutralConflict seemed distant to AmericansNationalism important in EuropeNationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to nation or ethnic group.

MilitarismPolicy of glorifying military power and values.System of Alliances required member nations to come to one anothers aid in case of attack

Ideological Causes of WarNationalismNationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to nation or ethnic group.

EXAMPLE: Germany grew rapidly and Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to be a world leader.MilitarismPolicy of glorifying military power and values.

EXAMPLE: When Germany modernized its army and navy, Britain felt it had to as well.Central vs. Allied PowersCENTRAL POWERSAustria-HungaryGermanyOttoman EmpireALLIED POWERSFranceBritainRussia

Wilson Adopts Policy of NeutralityU.S. would not takes sides in conflictIt would offer loans and sell weapons and supplies to both sides

What problems do you foresee w/ neutrality?

Neutrality ContdMany Americans happy w/ neutralityEven George Washington had warned of the evils of entangling alliancesBUTIn 1914 1/3 of United States population were either foreign-born or the children of foreign-bornMany of these people had emotional ties to countries at war

War on Two Fronts in EuropeEastern FrontRussia advanced into Germany & Austria-HungaryWestern FrontGerman troops marched into Belgium and FranceBy end of 1914, war on the western front had turned into a stalemateFamous book All Quiet on the Western Front

Challenges to U.S. Policy of NeutralityBritain blockaded ships headed to GermanyTurned back any ships w/ weapons, food & supplies (even those from U.S.)Wilson complained but did not take action

U-Boat Attacks Increase TensionIn February 1915 Germany found a way to challenge British blockade via submarine attacksCalled U-boats for unterseeboot (undersea boat)International law allowed warships that ability to stop and search merchant ships.Could sink ship if passengers and crew were removed firstU-boats did not have the capacity to warn merchant ships w/o losing element of surprise

Wilson & Strict Accountability Protested sinking of merchant ships w/o protecting lives of passengersSaid that U.S. would hold Germany to strict accountability for any American casualties in such attacks.Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915 w/o warning.128 Americans killed

Sussex PledgeAfter a couple of more smaller-scale merchant ship attacks, Germany promised to spare all lives in any future U-boat attacks AS LONG AS the U.S. forced Britain to end its illegal blockadeWilson accepted pledge but not condition

Preparedness MovementTeddy Roosevelt pointed out that U.S. was ill-prepared for war should it need to fight.He did not approve of neutrality (although he didnt advocate for one side initially)Wilson heeded and began to advocate building up the navy

PropagandaPropaganda: Info or rumor spread by a group or a govt to garner support for their side.Both Allies & Central powers launched propaganda campaignsAllies most successfulAlleged atrocities of German soldiers advertised

United States Declares a War to End All WarsZimmermann Note Stirs up Anti-German sentimentGerman foreign minister to Mexico Arthur Zimmermann wrote that if the U.S. should join the war, Mexico and Germany should become allies and Germany would help Mexico regain Lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Czar Nicholas II in RussiaMarch 1917 Czar Nicholass II was killed Democrats took overAt beginning of war, Wilson hadnt wanted to side w/ a dictator. Now Russia was a fit partner

U.S. Enters WarApril 2, 1917Wilson told Congress that neutrality was no longer feasibleOn April 4, 1917:Senate voted 82 to 6House voted 373 to 50

THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING TO WAR.