To remain strictly neutral, Wilson initially refused to trade with belligerent nations; however, this definition of neutrality made the nation prone to a recession. As a result, the U.S. turned to an alternative way of staying neutral: trading with all nations despite their political status. From 1914-1917, the U.S. restricted their involvement in WWI to economic relations. However, European military operations began to fight for control of the seas, prompting both Britain and France to violate neutral rights in order to gain the upper hand. Although the British blockade frustrated the U.S., German unrestricted submarine warfare elicited more outrage. Americans, especially the financial elite, already had closer ties to Britain and France.
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Not only did Germany disregard neutrality, but it refused to comply with international laws requiring attackers to issue a warning before firing and allowing people onboard to evacuate. The sinking of the Lusitania, a passenger ship, escalated the tension between Germany and the United States, leading Wilson to redefine neutrality as the indisputable right of neutral nations to trade and travel without interference. Although American-German relations were strained, Germany issued a pledge to halt unrestricted submarine warfare to appease the U.S. and prevent them from joining the war. Despite this, Wilson’s policy of neutrality ultimately failed because it was based on the cooperation of Germany. In early 1917, Germany decided to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. In addition to this, the Zimmerman Telegram from Germany to Mexico was intercepted by Britain and released to the public. Both unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram finally led the U.S. to declare war: Germany refused to comply with nations’ rights under neutrality and also attempted to instigate a war that threatened the national security of
Not only did Germany disregard neutrality, but it refused to comply with international laws requiring attackers to issue a warning before firing and allowing people onboard to evacuate. The sinking of the Lusitania, a passenger ship, escalated the tension between Germany and the United States, leading Wilson to redefine neutrality as the indisputable right of neutral nations to trade and travel without interference. Although American-German relations were strained, Germany issued a pledge to halt unrestricted submarine warfare to appease the U.S. and prevent them from joining the war. Despite this, Wilson’s policy of neutrality ultimately failed because it was based on the cooperation of Germany. In early 1917, Germany decided to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. In addition to this, the Zimmerman Telegram from Germany to Mexico was intercepted by Britain and released to the public. Both unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram finally led the U.S. to declare war: Germany refused to comply with nations’ rights under neutrality and also attempted to instigate a war that threatened the national security of