From Neutrality to War

Chapter 22

Europe: A Powder Keg Waiting to Ignite

• How could the murder of an archduke start a world war?

• Central Powers (Bad Guys)– Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

• Allied Powers (Good Guys)– Britain, France, Russia

• Imperialism, Nationalism, and Militarism– Control of raw materials

Wilson Adopts Neutrality

• “…impartial in thought as well as action...” The European war is one “…with which we have nothing to do, whose causes cannot touch us…”

• Americans made money off of the neutrality policy

• Neighborhood sympathies caused problems

• By the end of 1914 war was at a stalemate in Europe

• It was supposed to be a quick war…taxi cabs

Challenges to Neutrality

• War at stalemate – starve your enemies!

• British blockade of ships, even US ships

• “Our firm had never for one moment…”

• Germans unleash a new weapon: U-Boat– Was this fighting dirty?– Wilson to Germans: Total accountability for

casualties!

“Murder on the High Seas!”

• Allies, and Wilson call for Germany to stop unrestricted submarine warfare

• Germany responds by sinking the Arabic – Wilson sends a strongly worded note – Germans agree to

stop sinking ships without warning

• Sussex Pledge offered by Germany after sinking the Sussex– Would spare all merchant lives; called for US to make

Britain end its blockade of CP supply lines

Preparedness and Propaganda

• Talk of neutrality, or military preparedness – which is the best guarantor of peace?

– Preparedness movement – building up military strength in an effort to be “ready if necessary”

– Propaganda – “whipping up support” for your side (p. 289)

• Why is / was propaganda so effective?– Neutrality “in thought” proved to become resentment of

German and Central Power countries

“War to End All Wars”

• Wilson goes before the Senate:– 1. Peace without victory for warring nations– 2. A “league of honor”

• Germany responds by escalating their efforts; US breaks off all relations

• Zimmerman Note: If US enters the war, Mexico and Germany should become allies