Download US Neutrality activity

Why did the US declare war on Germany?
The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are
to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action, must put a curb
upon our sentiments, as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a
preference of one party to the struggle before another.
- President Wilson’s Declaration of Neutrality
When World War I broke out in Europe, most Americans welcomed President Wilson’s
declaration of neutrality – after all, this was a European war and the United States had
adopted a policy of non-involvement in the affairs of Europe dating back to the French
Revolution and the Monroe Doctrine. The Wilson administration maintained a policy of
neutrality for the first 3 ½ years of the conflict. In fact, when President Wilson ran for reelection in 1916, his most effective campaign slogan was “He kept us out of war!”
On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint session of Congress to
request a declaration of war against Germany.
Your task:
 Using the readings below to understand how the United States moved from a
policy of neutrality to a declaration of war against Germany.
 As you read, summarize the main points of each reading on the chart provided.
 Once all of the readings have been completed, answer the summary question that
follows the chart.
Reading #1:
Background: Early in the war, belligerent nations requested loans from American banks
to help finance their war effort. Below, an American banker inquires about government
policy regarding such loans.
Morgan (Bank) Company of New York have asked whether there would be any objection
to their making a loan to the French Government...
—Secretary of State Bryan to President Wilson, August 10, 1914
There is no reason why loans should not be made to the governments of neutral nations,
but in the judgment of this Government, loans by American bankers to any foreign nation
which is at war are inconsistent with the true spirit of neutrality.
—Secretary of State Bryan to J. P. Morgan and Company, August 15, 1914
Reading #2:
Background: US policy required belligerent nations to pay in cash for any purchases
made from American businesses. As the war continued, this became increasingly
difficult.
Since the beginning of the war this bank alone has received cabled instructions for the
payment of in excess of $50,000,000 for American goods and the volume of this business
is increasing. Owing to war conditions,… the cash credits of the European governments
are being fast depleted. Lately we have been urged by manufacturers who are customers
of the bank and, in some cases, by representatives of the foreign governments, to provide
temporary credits (loans) for these purchases.
—Vice President of the National City Bank to the Acting Secretary of State, October 23,
1914
Reading #3:
Background: Both sides seized American merchant vessels in an attempt to deprive the
enemy of needed materials.
December 26, 1914:
The present condition of American foreign trade resulting from the frequent seizures and
detentions of American cargoes destined to neutral European ports has become so serious
as to require a candid statement of the views of this Government in order that the British
Government may be fully informed as to the attitude of the United States toward the
policy which has been pursued by the British authorities during the present war.
—Secretary of State Bryan to Walter Hines Page, U.S. Ambassador in Great Britain
Reading #4:
Background: When the war began, the American economy was experiencing a mild
recession. Wartime sales to belligerent nations helped to end this economic downturn.
Value of U.S. Exports for 1914:
1914 - $ 824.8 million to Allies
1914 - $ 169.3 million to Central Powers
Reading #5:
Background: This communication from Germany, forbidding all merchant shipping
traffic in British waters, opened the first wave of: "unrestricted" submarine warfare:
4 February 1915
All the waters surrounding Great Britain and Ireland, including the whole of the English
Channel, are hereby declared to be a war zone. From February 18 onwards every enemy
merchant vessel found within this war zone will be destroyed without it always being
possible to avoid danger to the crews and passengers.
Neutral ships will also be exposed to danger in the war zone, as, in view of the misuse of
neutral flags ordered on January 31 by the British Government, and owing to unforeseen
incidents to which naval warfare is liable, it is impossible to avoid attacks being made on
neutral ships in mistake for those of the enemy.
Reading #6:
Background: President Wilson issued the following statement in response to the German
government’s announcement that it would begin unrestricted submarine warfare.
February 10, 1915:
If such a deplorable situation should arise, the Imperial German Government can readily
appreciate that the Government of the United States would be constrained to hold the
Imperial Government of Germany to a strict accountability for such acts of their naval
authorities, and to take any steps it might be necessary to take to safeguard American
lives and property and to secure to American citizens the full enjoyment of their
acknowledged rights on the high seas.
…It is stated for the information of the Imperial Government (Germany) that [protests]
have been made to his Britannic Majesty's Government (England) in respect to the
unwarranted use of the American flag for the protection of British ships.
Reading #7:
Background: On May 7th, 1915 British passenger liner Lusitiana was sunk by a German
submarine attack. This resulted in the death of 128 Americans. Given the information
below, was public outcry over this German attack on an “unarmed passenger ship”
warranted?
Public outrage over the loss of civilian life hastened the United States entry into World
War I. Although the cargo list of the Lusitania stated that she carried approximately 170
tons of munitions and war material, this fact was not revealed to the U.S. public at the
time.
Reading #8:
Background: By early 1917, German had decided to resume unrestricted submarine
warfare. Wilson announced that the United States would break off all diplomatic
relations with Germany, but was considering options other than war were open to the
United States. Then the British revealed that they had intercepted the following message
from Arthur Zimmerman, the undersecretary for foreign affairs, to the German
ambassador to Mexico.
We intend to begin on the 1st of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall
endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this
not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war
together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our
part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona…
Main Idea
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Summary: How much evidence is there to support the claim that the United States was
never really neutral?