History 105 Project 2

History 105 Project 2

Introduction

In case in Europe, the outbreak of the First World War came as a surprise to Americans. Many of them were imbued with the unstoppable technique and the apparent prosperity that pertained to the unlimited progress that was promised by the new century. This had taught the civilized arbitration and diplomacy which had replaced war as a way of settling the disputes of nations. In any case, the war started not very far and seemed to threaten, in principle, none of U.S. interests. As stated by Woodrow Wilson, with this war "have nothing to do, their causes do not concern us."

Consequences

Almost all the Americans favored neutrality in 1914. The permanence of disputes outside Europe had been a state policy throughout the history of the United States. However, there were exceptions. How could it be otherwise in a population made up of so many different backgrounds, the German-American immigrant group cry for the country and still embrace the German cause? Yet, the general showed more sympathy for the Allies, especially Britain, France and Belgium, and this was because very few ties joined Americans and Russians. There was the widespread feeling about cultural affinity with the mother country, England, which was more noticeable on the East Coast.

Although Anglophobia had not disappeared, the story had finally healed the wounds of old struggles and had sprouted in the early centuries, a kind of bonding and solidarity among whites. In turn, there was still a feeling of attachment to revolutionary France and of solidarity with that country for their assistance during the Independence. By contrast, the Prussian militarism and its form of government seemed to threaten democratic ideals as fervently as they were defended by the United States. Germany was seen as an international threat, a danger, and this view was compounded when submarine warfare began pounding against American interests. As the conflict progressed, it became increasingly clear that American neutrality was not so. As in any war, the international standards of maritime trade were put in dispute, and the United States saw as severely decreased trade with both sides.

However, despite the British underwent a strict blockade on American ships, Wilson's government ended up yielding to their interests and taking decisive maritime standards, almost unilaterally, on the Allied side. Furthermore, the increase in trade war with the allies provided a reason for American interests that coincided with ...