Was the U.S ever neutral in the conflict, and if so, when did it change to a policy favoring Allies?

Three years after War World I began the United States fully enter into the War, yet before entering there existed four major factors that brought the European powers into conflict. These four conflicts were the rise of nationalism, growth of imperialism, formation of secret military alliances, and the increase of militarism. The rise nationalism were the rise of ethnic groups that had been taken in by European power and in turn began to seek their interest and self determination. The growth of imperialism was growth of power every nation wanted land just to be in control which led to tension between nations. The formation of secret military alliances were countries forming together becoming threats to the other countries. Finally the increase of militarism was a chance for countries to gain back revenge such as France against Germany from the Franco-Prussian War. With the rise of each this was the stage to be set for war. The only thing needed to start the war was that one spark which was the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Francis Ferdinand in June of 1914. On July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia thus beginning WWI. When WWI broke out, the United States declared its policy of neutrality. The United States was neutral in the conflict Wilson declared them neutral when it first began, they were force into the war by the German military power, and they were still trading with the Allies and Central powers.


When war first broke out Wilson was determined to keep the U.S out of the war. He somehow believed that a neutral U.S would mediate the war and end it, which seemed also impossible to set terms of peace between the countries. Wilson felt that the "U.S from many nations" (Doc A.) so he did not want to get into the conflict knowing that those countries now fight were those people apart of the U.S., this would only erupt more conflict in his own nation. The division in the U.S would be fatal to the peace that they had in the nation, so remaining neutral would be the best idea.


During the war the U.S remained trading with both the Allies and Central Powers which they sometimes would tend to interrupt each other's expansion trade relationships including the U.S. The British would blockade Germany in the hope of cutting off supplies to the Central Powers. Then the British would have these ships examined at sea which could be seized by the Royal Navy. "Neutral ships were intercepted" (Doc C.) the British recognized that the U.S was neutral and thus explained to them that the blockading was just for the use of stopping the Germans. The Germans also communicated with the U.S and warned them to what they were up against "voyage liable to destruction" (Doc E.). Being neutral called for the other nations to take notce of them being neutral which was recognized by them.


In return to the British blockading the Germans declared British waters a war zone and that all shipping in the area to be attacked by the Germans. Germans felt this should have been a warning for the the U.S to keep out of the waters yet they had to continue trading and did not expect to be harmed. That same year that the British began to blockade Germans declared waters a war zone and a British passenger line the Lusitania was sunk by Germans including 128 Americas. Wilson threatened to cut off relations if Germany continued to sink ships "neutrals take stand now"(Doc G.).


As Wilson made his declaration to the Germans he lost his Secretary of State William J. Bryan who resigned in protest that Wilson would lead them to war with his declaration to the Germans. Wilson tried to "keep U.S neutral"(Doc H.) Yet with Germany sinking made it more difficult. The sinking of the Sussex where Wilson told Germans this was it if they do continue to do so relations are over. The Germans reailzing the importance the U.S made the Sussex Pledge where promised to stop booming ships.

As the U.S continued to stay out Germany made it once again a challenge to stay out "German military power"(Doc I.) Germany was beginning to take over. Beginning with the Zimmerman Note, Germany proclaim to Mexico could regain lost land that was lost in the Mexican -American War. This made it to difficult for the U.S to stay out of the war or else there land would be lost.Wilson's idea was to stay neutral during the war there just existed to many challenge to keep out without hurt their country.

When World War I broke out the first thought of the U.S was to stay out of the war. To make sure the U.S would not get into the conflict the U.S made sure they trading with each nation, lent 3 million dollars to Britain and France, and even Wilson's League of Nations which was a universal cooperation. The idea to keep the U.S neutral became harder with Germany's decision to renew attacks on neutral shipping, the Zimmerman Note, and the Russian Revolution. The U.S did not chose to to get into the conflict they wanted to remain neutral although they were forced.