The Legacy Of World War I

a. Wilson realized the economic advantages of remaining a neutral country, and understood that the United States’ abundance in industry and its large domestic consumer market meant that the national economy was not under any immediate threat. Furthermore, as the world’s leading manufacturer and economic power, the United States became the primary supplier of the Allied war effort. As a result trade with the Allied nations fueled America’s industrial, services, and agricultural sectors, as American exports of steel, grain, clothes, food, money, weapons, etc, and brought about the biggest economic boom in U.S. history. American banks lent billions of dollars to the Allied coalition. The United States, however, did not trade strictly with the Allied nations, and for a time exploited its status as a neutral country to conduct trade with Germany, that was until Britain harassed American goods back to English ports. In spite of this trade with the Allied nations continued, and the national economy flourished from the sale of non-contraband goods. Wilson therefore had little reason to claim any greater a stake in the European war than strictly business. Moreover, the United States, as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, enjoyed a self-sufficient economy founded on the nation’s vast array of industry and a steady supply of valuable resources like oil and steel. America’s industries were perfectly suited to the nation’s

While the war raged on into 1916, the United States transitioned from a “debtors nation” into a “creditors nation”. Between 1913 and 1916 American exports rose from 2 billion dollars annually to 6 billion. (Zieger, 16) While it was clear that the Allies were greatly indebted to the United States Wilson saw the opportunity to the U.S. influence to provoke peace between the warring nations. As American sentiment began rising about expanding an American army, most Americans believed that the United States had a responsibility to bring both sides together and resolve the war.

Preceding America’s entry into World War I, the country claimed autonomy wanting no affiliations with the European war; conversely, America was supplying war machinery to the European nations. In the World War I & Its Aftermaths, Tizoc Chavaz states, “In October 1914, President Wilson approved commercial credit loans to the combatants, which made it increasingly difficult for the nation to claim impartiality

In conclusion, World War One was a rather eventful war, there were many things that set things in motion. The main causes of World War one were militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and certain events that turned countries against each other. World War one serves as a reminder to us that with power comes responsibility, and if used wrong, it can cause more harm than good. It also shows us that all conflict that is caused between

World War 1 was a war that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and was a war that involved and was molded around alliances. This war in Europe would eventually turn into a global war that would involve 32 countries. United States involvement was crucial to the outcome of World War 1 and made a serious impact in our country. Both positive and negative effects were felt by Americans during and even long after the war. Mixed feelings were felt from many Americans for entering the war that would affect society.

Woodrow Wilson was the president of the United States of America at the time during WWI. The U.S was content with staying neutral during the first world war and it proved to be extremely beneficial for them as they became rich. The economic surplus that came with being neutral was enough reason for the U.S to stay out of the war. They were eventually pushed into participating in the war and played a key role in the allies victory. The reinforcements from the U.S helped tip the scales in the allies favor in the battle against Germany in the western front. Despite the great impact that the United States made by entering the war, it took many unfavorable events to push them out of neutrality. Some of those events are detailed in the first image

This essay will examine all nine readings. There will also be insight given to why the United States entered World War I, and whether or not the reasons were persuasive. Other things will also be discussed, including: what America’s war aims were, and how Wilson’s goals were unrealistic, misleading, overly idealistic and moralistic. The fact that Wilson expected too much of international law and international organization. Also, why Wilson’s goals were not achieved. That the national interest is what should guide American diplomacy. There was also a lot of questions of loyalty and civil liberties that were raised by the war.

The start of the Spanish-American war also marked something bigger- American entry into world affairs. Since then, the U.S. has continued to have a significant hand in various conflicts around the world, and has entered many other treaties and agreements. In 1914, at the start of World War I (WWI), President Woodrow Wilson, in a declaration of neutrality, vowed to keep America out of the war. Inspite of this, Americans were spurred on by German aggression, violation of international law, and protecting economic interests. The U.S. had entered the war, creating a major turning point. The war ended with Germany's defeat. As a determining force in the victory of the war, America became almost soley in charge of creating a post-war agenda. But,

In the Woodrow Wilson: Declaration of Neutrality (1914), Wilson states, “The United State must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men’s souls.” In this statement, Wilson stated that he wants to declare neutrality to avoid war and casualties, or to avoid the “days that are to try men’s souls”. Also, he stated that the United States should avoid actions could be perceived as neutral like partisanship, taking sides, and transactions that could be construed to the preference of a certain party of the war. As stated in a letter from William Jennings Bryan to J.P Morgan on August 15, 1914, Bryan stated that United States government would be against American bankers loans to belligerent nations. This was because he did not want to run the risk of looking inconsistent with a policy of neutrality. So, it was apparent America wanted nothing to do with the

The Progressive Era began in 1890 and came to a close around the end of World War I in 1919. As the name suggests, it was an era of modernization and change for Americans. “America was growing, expanding, booming, and providing opportunities to join forces with industrialism and commerce and to grow along with the country” (Anderson, David 6). However, the rapid speed of population growth in cities magnified problems of poverty, disease, violence, and corruption. With an increase in jobs, competition also arose amongst citizens who believed that “both wealth and happiness [would] inevitably come to the moral and industrious” (White 1). Despite being characterized by reform, urbanization, and industrialism, the Progressive Era saw the loss of individualism; workers struggled for autonomy, skilled craftsmen were replaced, and mass culture eclipsed small, intimate towns, showing that in order to move forward, there needed to be a step back.

Also, if the United States was to enter the war, national production would switch from civilian products to war materials (Economic). In the years leading up to the war, America was already in a state of recession and they did not want to spend millions of dollars on this conflict. The following quote states how much the war affected the economy of the United States. "The total cost of World War I to the United States (was) approximately $32 billion, or 52 percent of gross national product at the time" (Economic). If you were the president of the United States, would you want to put out $32 billion dollars when your country is in recession as it is? Second, another reason the United States stayed out of the war for so long was because of their policy of neutrality. On August 19, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson addressed the congress and informed them of the U.S. policy of neutrality (First). In doing this, President Wilson was saying that the United States would stay neutral during the war and not intervene. During the president’s address to congress, he states, “Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality” (First). By saying this, the president is saying that the policy of neutrality is the absolute best choice for the United States in this situation, and any citizens that did not believe in this did not truly care for the country or its people.

However, President Woodrow Wilson was not pro-war from the start. When the war began in 1914, it was the logical decision for Wilson to keep the United States neutral. A majority of Americans had either emigrated from Europe or had family members that had done so. Therefore, most of these people were partial to Britain and France’s (the Allied Powers) cause. In this case, it was the wise decision for Wilson to not take sides in the war, so as not to alienate a large number of Americans which would cause an abundance of tension and division between the people of the U.S. Also, it was the best interest of the United States to remain neutral so one they could continue trading with all of the European market.

The carnage of world war one was the result of the clash between new technologies, but old strategies. Blitzkrieg warfare would be the first form of modern military tactics for it fully utilizes the technological advancements of that time. The term “Blitzkrieg” was not invented by the Germans, but by an English magazine that described the invasion of Poland (Showalter). While many accredit the invention of Blitzkrieg warfare to Heinz Guderian, Germany's Chief of Mobile Troops during WWII, it was actually invented far before that. In fact, it was developed right after WWI after seeing the devastating effects of trench warfare(Showalter). Ironically, the basis of Blitzkrieg warfare was also laid by German Field Marshall Alfred von Schlieffen of the famous Schlieffen plan of WWI(Showalter). The basic essence of Blitzkrieg warfare was built upon the belief that Germany was always going to be out resourced and out numbered in every war and thus in order to win it, the Germans must strike hard and fast and penetrate deep behind enemy lines(Showalter). Thus, Blitzkrieg warfare was the most effective military tactic of its time because it utilized all of the technology of its time, it not only utilized physical warfare, but also psychological warfare, and because Germany’s opponents were not prepared for this kind of warfare.

On August 4th, 1914 President Wilson officially announced that America would be neutral in World War One. This neutral stance extended to a policy of “fairness” by which American bankers could lend money to both sides of the war. Overseas trade was more complicated. Trade

In 1914, when the war began, the United States remained neutral, taking a backseat to the fighting in Europe. The war however, still had an impact on America. There was a large industrial expansion in industry and agriculture from the increased demand for those supplies over seas. The French, British, and Russians imported raw materials, foodstuff, and military supplies, which resulted in an increase of 15% in the gross national product (GNP) for the United States (Progressive Era). Although some questioned the need to spend such a large amount of money on a war that the U.S. was not yet a part of, the U.S. raised $15 billion dollars more than they spent on their allies with just the sale of Liberty bonds; that doesn’t include the money tax revenue (Progressive Era). Staying neutral actually helped the U.S. maintain a steady economy without losing any lives in combat. The money that the U.S. was able to make back went into programs to aid apparent issues in the country, such as education, that only received the attention after the war.