World War I lasted four years, it started after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was hair to the Austria- Hungarian throne. He died in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. Historians continue to debate the causes, including changing political and economical situations in some of the European nations, the Industrial Revolution, and social turmoil. “The first man made catastrophe of the twentieth century” (Israel 1). As Britain and France fought against Germany, American leaders decided it would be in best interest for the country to stay neutral and trade with both sides the Central and Allied powers. Britain strategy was to impose a blockade on Germany, that America could not trade with the Central powers. Between 1914 and 1916 blockade
