After the beginning of the First World War, the United States announced its neutrality. President Wilson tried to mediate, recognizing the devastating effects of the War on the country. However, peacekeeping efforts were not successful, mainly due to the fact that both parties haven't lost the hope to win the decisive battle (“Launched”, n.p). Germany’s refusal to stop attacking merchant and passenger ships, the violation of the “Sussex Pledge”, the American outraged public, and the “Zimmerman Telegram” all pushed President Wilson to declare war in April of 1917. The policy of neutrality was explained by two factors. Firstly, America's worker masses were against the participation in the European War, it was necessary to pave the way for
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President Wilson threatened to cut relations with Germany unless the German Government stopped attacking all passenger ships and allowed the crews of enemy merchant vessels to abandon their ships prior to any attack. On May 4, 1916, the German Government accepted these terms and conditions in what came to be known as the “Sussex pledge.” However by January of 1917 Germany decided they could break the “Sussex Pledge” because the U.S. gave munition and financial assistance to the Allies and could no longer be considered a neutral party. President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had cut relations with Germany. However, he refrained from asking for a declaration of war because he doubted that the U.S. public would support him unless he provided proof that Germany was going to attack U.S. ships without warning (“Enters”, n.p). He left open the possibility of working things out with Germany if its submarines refrained from attacking U.S. ships. Nevertheless, throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sank several U.S. ships, causing the deaths of numerous U.S. seamen and
President Wilson threatened to cut relations with Germany unless the German Government stopped attacking all passenger ships and allowed the crews of enemy merchant vessels to abandon their ships prior to any attack. On May 4, 1916, the German Government accepted these terms and conditions in what came to be known as the “Sussex pledge.” However by January of 1917 Germany decided they could break the “Sussex Pledge” because the U.S. gave munition and financial assistance to the Allies and could no longer be considered a neutral party. President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had cut relations with Germany. However, he refrained from asking for a declaration of war because he doubted that the U.S. public would support him unless he provided proof that Germany was going to attack U.S. ships without warning (“Enters”, n.p). He left open the possibility of working things out with Germany if its submarines refrained from attacking U.S. ships. Nevertheless, throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sank several U.S. ships, causing the deaths of numerous U.S. seamen and