10 Comments
Arjana Begzati
3/4/2014 09:38:55 am
America's "neutrality" changed mainly because of economic interests, or the situation that did not give the choice of complete neutrality if an economic breakdown was to be prevented. The naval blockade that Great Britain had imposed on Germany meant that it disabled the trading between the U.S. and Germany. That would not be an economic disaster for America, since the trade with Germany was relatively modest. Though, stoping trade with Germany would be taking side with Great Britain. Resisting the blockade or stopping trading with both would be the neutral action to take. Ending trade with Britain and France, though, would have a quite big effect on America, due to its much more extensive trading. This main disadvantage of allying with none or Germany and some other factors determined the United States' decision. The other factors include the fact that more Americans sympathized with Britain over Germany, due to some unfair German acts in France and Belgium. Besides that, president Wilson saw it as America's responsibly to make the world safe for democracy, which could not be done by remaining neutral and out of the conflict.
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Maddy Vogel
3/5/2014 07:58:26 am
Arjana, great work! I agree with your economic standpoint. Trade with Britain and the acceptance of the blockade definitely solidified America's place in the Allies. However, I think the Zimmerman Telegraph was another huge aspect of America's involvement. It made Wilson feel as though Germans were targeting our country, and he was pushed to take action.
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Elayna Muller
3/6/2014 02:28:26 am
Great answer! I love how you explained how Wilson saw it as America's responsibility to make the world safe for democracy because I figured he was either just a hypocrite (like most presidents) or was just pressured into the war by his colleagues and the public. You put amazing examples that really explained what Woodrow thought and not just "America's opinions". Weren't the American people more against going to war than for war? That's what made me wonder why Woodrow went to war if he knew it would make him unpopular...good answer.
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McCall Etl
3/9/2014 10:33:11 am
Arjana this is a great answer! I agree with you and I'd also say that the Zimmermann telegraph and the submarine warfare contributed to America giving into the war!
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Luke Stewart
3/17/2014 08:26:47 am
Well said.
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Maddy Vogel
3/5/2014 07:54:00 am
Woodrow Wilson was elected as President of the United States on peaceful grounds. He claimed to not wish to enter World War I as it was started without the United States. Like many, it seemed that Wilson thought the war to be “Europe’s problem”. Although pacifism seemed to lay in the hearts of the majority of Americans, many came to sympathize with Britain through propaganda against Germany. From an economic standpoint, the United States continued trade with Britain and France and accepted the British blockade of Germany. This was the first sign of American’s alliance to the British side. Wilson was still hesitant to join the war; he was looking for concrete purpose. That purpose came first with Germany’s attack on American submarines, but was pushed to action with the Zimmerman Telegraph. This telegraph was sent from the German foreign minister to Mexico’s government. It proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States. In this proposal, Germany promised to win Mexico’s former land from the United States and return it. This telegraph was intercepted by British intelligence, was publicized, and created the purpose Wilson needed to join the fight. Americans were infuriated. They believed that Germany was turning their neighbors against them. Wilson put aside his own ideology to protect the country.
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Arjana Begzati
3/5/2014 10:04:30 am
Good explanation! Through your answer I see some points that I missed in my response.
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Zane Boerner
3/9/2014 10:42:19 am
Great answer! I agree that the Zimmerman Telegraph played a big part in bringing the United States into the war. Do you think that America's neutrality would have changed without the telegraph?
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Maddy Vogel
3/9/2014 12:31:36 pm
Great question, Zane! And I am not sure it would have! The Zimmerman Telegraph made President Wilson feel like the United States had been personally attacked and, being a major world power, he felt that the United States should retaliate. So I believe that without such a push as the telegraph the U.S. would have remained neutral, at least for longer if not throughout the entire war.
McCall Etl
3/9/2014 11:17:24 am
Wilson used his neutrality as a base for his re-election. Obviously many Americans liked this idea, and Wilson was reelected as the President. However, many Americans started giving into the British propaganda, and many Americans sympathized with and felt bad for Britain. Although the British were blockading trade with Germany, the U.S. continued to trade with Britain. This showed that The United States clearly had sympathy for the British. This sorta began the waning neutrality of the United States. To add to this, a U.S. ship was attacked by a German submarine. Although an obvious hit to the United States, they remained neutral until the Zimmermann Telegraph. Germany was trying to coax Mexico into war,and this message was intercepted by the British. At that point, even the president of peace was prepared to fight, and eventually war was declared on Germany.
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