Neutrality In World War I

World War I began in July 28, 1914. It was on this day that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Afterwards, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the attack. Russia supported Serbia, so eventually it led to the Allied Powers against the Central Powers. World War I was mainly fought in Europe. After countless attacks, the war ended on November 11, 1918. When World War I began, the United States was still on the neutral side. After a few years, the country finally had to enter the war. President Woodrow Wilson was the one who suggested that America should be neutral in the war. However, after many conflicts occurring with Germany, in the most part, there was no choice …show more content…
For example, there was propaganda from the Central Powers and the Allied Powers, the British government shifted America’s goods towards themselves, and German U-boats attacked and sunk the Lusitania. The Allied and Central Powers both used propaganda to try and convince America to join their side. Most of the propaganda, however, was helping Britain more because the material stated that Britain can be considered as a “cultural brother.” Germany was also seen as a very dangerous country who had plans to go against the United States and its government. For example, there was a propaganda poster called “Destroy This Mad Brute.” The “mad brute”, a gorilla that was holding a German club and carrying a woman, represented Germany. It caused many Germans and German Americans to be targeted and persecuted. There was also a propaganda poster called “Beat Back the Hun with Liberty Bonds.” It showed an intimidating German soldier with bloody fingers looking across the Atlantic. This created a lot of fear for the Americans towards Germany. Britain’s propaganda had a significant impact on the United States’ decision in joining the war on the Allied Powers