The United States
democracy” as President Wilson claimed,
but to safeguard American economic
interests. Assess the validity of this statement. Please include a thesis, topic sentences, and bullet points for information. Please keep in mind that you will need to provide commentary on an actual essay. Therefore, do not provide evidence that does not answer how or why.
Thesis: Although President Wilson led the nation into World War I claiming to be protecting democracy, the U.S. actually entered the war to not only protect American economic interests, but also to stress the importance of self-determination.
ReplyDeleteTS#1: President Wilson reluctantly led the nation into WWI claiming to be protecting democracy.
-Isolationism was popular; he did not want to go to war.
-Women still didn't have voting rights, so really protecting democracy? 19th Amendment, according to Wilson, was to further support the war effort
-used this "protecting democracy" claim to pep up Americans to support war effort
-Germany had fallen into (oh no!) an infant communist regime
TS#2: One of the actual reason the U.S. entered the war was to protect its economic interests.
-Unrestricted submarine warfare meant that American merchant vessels were being sunk, holding up trade
-U.S. wanted to remain a neutral trader and benefit from trading with warring European nations but Germany would not let that happen
-sinking of the Lusitania, the Arabic, killing innocent American passengers
TS#3: The U.S. also entered the war to stress the need for self-determination of all nations.
-Wilson's 14 Points- freedom of seas, no economic barriers, no secret treaties
-minority groups should not be oppressed and should choose their own governments
-fighting began in neutral Belgium
-isolationism, not imperialism
-Zimmerman note, proposed secret alliance; Wilson wouldn't have that
Conclusion: President Wilson led the nation into WWI on the grounds that the safety of democracy was at stake, but in reality, U.S. economic interests were at stake as well as the right to self-determination of less powerful peoples.
Although President Wilson tried to create the impression that the U.S. went to war to make the world safe for democracy, the United States' main motive for entering the war was to protect economic interests in America.
ReplyDelete1) As an advocate for democratic principles, the U.S. did try to protect democratic growth through its participation during the war.
1) trying to protect Britain and France's more democratic style of government helped spread democratic influence
2) wanted to prevent the spread of Germany's government (Kaiser) = stopping Germany from becoming a major influence
3)demonstrated when refused to make a deal with Germany until Kaiser removed = removing of anti-democratic government influence
2) The biggest motive behind the United States' entrance into the first world war was to safeguard American economic interests.
1) Zimmerman Telegram-proposal of secret treaty between Germany and Mexico. would give Mexico chance to try and take back land which would greatly hurt economy by taking away western states full of resources
2) was benefiting from wartime needs of other countries, but blockades began hurting international trade and violated the freedom of the seas
3) unrestricted submarine warfare killed Americans, destroyed ships, and would hurt economy = killed consumers and destroyed vessels that carried merchandise
Although it can be said that the United States entered worldwide war to ensure the existence of democracy, the main interest of the U.S. was to protect its economic interests and moral values.
ReplyDeleteThe United States entered World War I in part to keep democracy alive amongst fighting nations.
1) Austria-Hungary control over Hungary
2) German threat looming over small countries
The United States' entry into the first World War was motivated by the moral values of its people.
1) Sinking of Lusitania- angered Americans because of passenger ship status
2) Ties with France and Britain- alliance
The economic motivations for the United States to enter World War were key components in driving the U.S. to enter war.
1) German U-boats- continuously sinking American merchant ships
2) Britain and France- war time trade with the Allies was highly profitable for the United States
3) B and F financing their war with United States loans- needed Allies to win to get their money back
Although there were economic interests worth defending in war-stricken Europe, the U.S. intervened mainly to make the world safe for democracy because Congress only declared war when it became clear that isolation and neutrality were not enough to ensure U.S. safety.
ReplyDelete A boom in trade with Britain and France ended the recession that the U.S. was struggling through in 1914, but also put the U.S. in the Central Powers’ line of fire.
• British prevent U.S w/ Germany
• U-boats
A series of events soon proved that the long-held philosophies of isolationism and neutrality meant nothing when all of Europe was fighting.
• Lusitania
• Anti-autocracy/ anti-German feelings
• Zimmerman Telegram
Although the imperialism of years past made the U.S. protective of its democratic nations, the U.S. entered the war because of the threat of our sea trade and of our trade partners.
ReplyDeleteA) Fighting in the war made it possible for the U.S. to ensure democracy, at least for its own conquests.
1) European countries on both sides were monarchies for the most part.
2) Violence, like killing heirs and monarchs, was ensuing in other countries. One countries chaos doesn't usually effect the one country. If it spread to the Latin American countries, there would be trouble.
B) Central Powers were becoming violent on the seas, hindering trade.
1) U-boats sank Allies ships; didn't become an issue until it sank the Lusitania, killing 128 Americans
2) Germans were sinking unarmed ships without regard to who was on board.
3) Even after Berlin promised not to sink an unarmed ship without warning, the Germans sunk the Sussex.
C) The Allies had become partners in trade before they were partners in war.
1) Geography, technically, kept the U.S. from trading with Germany.
-The British controlled the sea lanes that would permit German trade
2) J.P. Morgan and Co. gave the Allies $2.3 billion during neutrality
3) Eventually, when Germany began blowing up our ships, the Germans agreed to our sea stipulations if we opened up trade with them.
-This meant getting Britain to let up on their blockade, which wouldn't happen.
Although the U.S. had many citizens who believed in Idealism, the ideological quest for democratic principles and equal opportunities for all, America entered the first World War to safeguard The United States’ economic situation because of the need for realism and opportunity for trade with foreign allies.
ReplyDeleteRealism is the need for national security, economic needs, and capitalism in a nation. Wilson, however, had a feeble idea that the American System would save the world. He believed that America was an example to follow, with its economy, political structure and diversity. These aims were just covering the real reason. America could not remain neutral because of the weapon trading that they were doing with Britain.
In the beginning, the U.S had not always wanted to be involved with the war. But neutrality was not lasting for very long. Soon America was leaning towards Britain and France. America started trading heavily with both countries and loaning them money, and it was only a matter of time before the nation got dragged into the war too. As we traded with them more, we became closer allies and the hatred towards Germany grew. America gave loans to France and Britain, soon amounting to over 2.25 billion dollars. The more intense the fighting, the more arms, ordnance, and supplies the British and French ordered from American manufacturers, and the more money they borrowed from American banks.
Although President Wilson issued a declaration of U.S. neutrality at the start of World War I, he soon found maintaining a neutral stance difficult because of loans and trade with the Allies.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. economy was closely tied to the Allies during the First World War.
• Allies were not able to purchase all the needed war supplies
• J.P. Morgan, U.S. banker, loaned money to them
• Loans maintained U.S. economic prosperity and the Allies’ war effort
Economically, the U.S. prospered at the outbreak of war due to trade with Britain and France.
• British blockade prevented U.S. trade with Germany
• Blockade led to trading with only Britain and France
• Trading with only the Allies lead to favoritism
Although the U.S attempted to keep their word “to make the world safe for democracy”, the United States did enter World War I to safeguard American economic interests because of trade with Britain and their own manpower.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. entered World War I when Britain announced that they were running out of money because of trading with the United States and their own manpower.
• What: before the war, U.S was neutral and trading with only Britain because of British blockade
• Why: Britain was fighting and trading at the same time, so they ran out of money
• How: the U.S. didn’t want the western front to collapse because of not trading with Britain and their need for manpower, so they raised an army
The U.S. also entered World War I because of German submarine warfare.
• What: Germany U-boats were sinking passenger and merchant ships that belonged to the United States or had U.S. citizens on it
• Why: sabotage trade with Britain and other Allies by sinking ships
• How: Germany violated neutrality by sinking unarmed ships without warning which eventually caused the U.S. to enter the war
Even though economic interests was the reason why the U.S. entered World War I, President Wilson’s claim “to make the world safe for democracy” was attempted at the end of the war with the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles.
• What: President Wilson wanted international peace and planned to achieve it by the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles
• Why: to prevent future wars and opportunity to make peace through democratic efforts
• How: implementing the League of Nations in the treaty, but there weren’t enough votes to pass the treaty through congress
Although Wilson claimed that the United States entered the war “to make the world safe for democracy,” it was actually safeguarding the economy that caused the entrance into the war because had the U.S. not entered, the economy was at risk for crashing, and the U.S. needed to protect its foreign trade.
ReplyDeletePresident Wilson claimed that the entrance into the war was because of democracy.
• Britain and France were democratic
• Germans were antidemocratic
• The US joining Britain and France (Allied Powers) would help them
• Submarine Warfare
• Sinking of the Lusitania
Protecting the economy of the United States was the main reason for the entrance into the war.
• If the France/Britain lost the war, the US would not get back money they loaned to them
• U.S. entered to ensure they would win so they would get their money back
• Economy could crash if they didn't enter
• Germany could gain power
• Britain was buying large amounts of arms from U.S.
• Trade with them only made Central Powers hate U.S. even more
Although America's entrance into WW1 ultimately did help to make the world safe for democracy, the real reason behind the U.S. entering the war was to protect America's economic interests.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it wasn't said or even possibly intended by president Wilson, America's entrance into The Great War ultimately served to make the world safe for democracy.
1. The U.S entering the war was a major tipping point in the favor of the Allies
2. The U.S. helped to 'destroy' communism, therefore ending its spread and extending democracy
The proverbial last straw, the event that caused America's entrance into the war was unrestricted submarine warfare on the part of the German's.
1. The German's had been using their subs to destroy American merchant ships, who were technically neutral, in order to cut off supplies to Britain and France.
2. The Zimmerman Telegraph, a German sent telegraph to Mexico urging them to join the war, and in return Germany would get their land back. This angered U.S. because of the protective nature we have of Latin America
Although under the Monroe Doctorine the United States promised to protect their neighbors rights and to promote democracy, The US was swayed into war to keep the economy stable because money invested in western europe wouldn't be payed back if the war was lost and the trade routes that ran through the war path.
ReplyDeleteI. Wilson did believe in fighting for democracy and acted corresctly under previous pollicies.
a. Monroe Doctorine
b. Revolution such as the one in US
c. Wilson always takes action when pushed by the people (peoples voices/vote)
II. The US loaned a health amount of money into the Allies and would lose that money if they became unsuccessful in the war.
a. List of the Allies
b. Little investment/interest in Germany
c. large involvement in Western Europe by having a "healthy" loaning and borrowing system.
III. Trade ships began to be threatened as the US tried to remain neutral which lead to unrest and a further push for war.
a. Uncontentment of neutrality between the people fighting the war
b. economy would suffer if trade routes were cut off; less production = panic
c. helped gain support from the people for the war
President Wilson led the media with his assertions of democracy but in truth his hand wouldn't have budged if it weren't for the treat of an economic downfall that would scare his name and send his country into a panic.
Although Wilson’s idea that “The world must be made safe for democracy” was an immediate impact of U.S. entering the war, the economic protection of America had a major influence in the long run because of foreign trade and job opportunities.
ReplyDelete The idea of protecting the democracy was set off by the foreign affairs happening with the Allied and Central Powers.
Submarine Warfare
May 7 1915 Lusitania sinking
Sinking of Arabic and Sussex
Wilson threatened to cut off diplomatic relations; established Sussex pledge
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Ethnic influences
Italian Americans supported Allies
German and Irish Americans supported Central powers
Native born supported French and British
Caused conflict throughout the nationalities in the U.S.
Even though the U.S. was considered as a neutral nation, its economy had started to become tied to the Allied Powers.
Foreign Trade
U.S. sent war supplies to Britain and France which boosted the economy
War Industries Board
Food Administration: conserve food for troops
Fuel Administration
The government gave $3 billion dollar loan to Britain and France which maintained economic prosperity and sustained Allies war effort
Created further distance from relations with Germans and Central Powers.
As the men were drafted into the war, many job opportunities became available for women and immigrants.
Women
Thousands entered into workforce
Some became volunteers in war effort
19th Amendment
Mexicans and African Americans
Many Mexicans traveled across the border for work in agriculture and factories
African Americans migrated north for factory jobs
Shows expansion of the U.S. and ties with Mexico
Zimmerman Telegram
Although President Wilson did not join World War I to gain American economic interests, the United States entered World War I “to make the world safe for democracy”, just as Wilson said, as shown in the dangers to the United States sparking a desire for war and what Wilson wanted to be the results of victory.
ReplyDeleteOne reason America entered the war was to protect itself, thus proving the power of democracy.
-Germany torpedoed American Merchant ships
-Most famous was the Lusitania
-American’s were angered, Germany wouldn’t admit guilt
-Germany’s money compensation was insulting for loss of life
-Sussex Pledge left United States powerless, couldn’t change Blockade
-Germany announced Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
-All ships could be sunk
-Germany wanted to push US to war, no blurred alliances
-Zimmerman Note was intercepted
-Germany goaded Mexico to attack America
-revealed what would have hurt America
-Unacceptable acts of war
Though there were obvious threats to security to back up Wilson’s statement, it is also obvious there were not enough economic interests to make joining the war effort an economical decision.
-Neutrality in the war aided American economy
-banks
-peace would take down helpful Berlin Blockade
-Economic reasons for war would not outweigh costs.
-mobilization was expensive
-most profits made from new labor force went to the war itself
The greatest proof that the United States entered World War I in accordance to Wilson’s quote is the hopes and actions of Woodrow Wilson.
-Wilson’s Fourteen Points
-Wanted to ensure Germany’s Freedom
-So Germany wouldn’t be bitter towards democracy
-Wanted independence of oppressed peoples
-Wilson’s League of Nations
-International Organization
-Nations ensure peace together on votes
-like Democracy for all of Europe
Brennan Ballard, Despite who Blogger may say I am.
Although the United States tried to remain neutral, it was obvious that American economic interest was under attack during the 20th century and in the fore front of President Wilson’s mind because of attacks to American trade and the accumulating money which the United States was receiving due to the war, and thus pushed the United States into World War 1.
ReplyDeleteNot only the American people, but also President Wilson believed that the United States would remain neutral due to his campaign slogan “He kept us out of war.”
• Wilson wanted warring countries to get on peaceful terms
• He attempted a peace conference that did not happen
• When an American merchant ship was attacked, Wilson began arming the merchant ships
• Wilson and Isolationism
• Monroe Doctrine
• Allied Powers and Central Powers tried to persuade American neutrality using propaganda
The United States neutrality was questioned due to sympathetic actions toward the Allied Powers.
• Americans would sell guns to Britain and thus were no longer considered to be neutral
• America broke neutrality due to the money
• America had close ties with Britain due to similar society
Attacks on American trade came from both Britain and Germany; however the worst of the attacks came from Germany.
• Britain refused to allow American goods to Germany and declared all cargo in neutral waters to be contraband
• Britain begins to seize U.S. goods and even though Wilson protests he still tries to keep a neutral ground
• Due to Britain’s tactics, Germany sets up a war zone around Britain isles and Germany threatened to sink enemy merchant boats
• German U-boats
• The sinking of the Lusitania killed 128 Americans and other German boat sinkings
• Arthur Zimmerman letter Mexico which leads to American suspicion of Mexico
Although entering World War I did benefit American Businesses, Woodrow Wilson’s decision to enter the war was more to insure the world’s safety for democracy as outlined through Wilson’s fourteen point speech and affairs in Central America.
ReplyDeleteAmerican business was able to earn more profit by selling ammunition and other various supplies to the allied forces.
• Steel used for guns and ammo
• Farmers shipped goods to North and overseas
Wilson gave his 14 point speech to the German government to convince them to surrender and gave the rest of the world a feeling of peace and assurance that peace would maintain.
• Treaty of Versailles
• League of Nations
• Failures because of European Nations greed
Maintaining peace in Latin American countries was a priority influenced by the Monroe doctrine.
• Roosevelt corrale
• Keeping nations sovereign and instilling democracy
Although Woodrow Wilson claimed that the entrance of the United States into the Great War under the Allied banner was primarily to aid the humanitarian cause of defending democratic processes and safeguarding democracy, the United States’ entrance into the war was much more akin to a forced hand, one that did not want to be opened initially due to the incredible amount of profit generated from neutral trading rights, forced open with the applied pressure of the Second Reich’s utilization of unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman telegraph. The claim that the United States was acting to preserve democracy was ultimately a disguise attempting to conceal the tentative foreign policy that danced the line between neutrality and open war, with Wilhelm II and his war council prodding it to fall, and the creation of a moral cause to improve the United States’ public opinion of the war.
ReplyDeleteI. Even though Wilson claim was, for the most part, incorrect that the United States’ entrance was to preserve democracy, there is still some truth to his claim. For one, the United States’ predominate allies upon its entrance into the war were relatively politically modern nations with a more democratic system (i.e. France and the United Kingdom), juxtaposing the Central Powers’ despotic regimes inclusive of the Second Reich’s Kaiser, the Austro-Hungarian King, and eventually the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand I and the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V. To further support for Wilson’s claim, the United States’ admittance into the Allied Powers meant that the United States’ was never technically allied with the other infamous monarchy of Europe, Russia and Tsar Nicholas II, who was an allied power before its withdrawal from the war to fight the Bolshevik uprising.
II. The United States’ foreign policy in dealing with the war had initially been the same as with all of the other European conflicts, a proclamation of neutrality and a clinging to political isolationism, but with the United Kingdom and Germany strangling each others’ trade routes with naval blockades and submarine U-boats (respectively), the United States’ was placed in a perilous economic condition, one that would risk the lives of many American merchants who dared cross into Europe’s now contested waters.
III. Ultimately, Wilson’s claim that the United States primary reason for entering the war was to preserve democracy was false and merely a façade to cover up the painstakingly careful diplomacy that ultimately failed to mitigate tensions at all.
Evidence:
I. Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution, Assassination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand, Austro-Hungarian conquest of Serbia inclusive of Sarajevo, Wilson’s foreign policy
II. Isolationism, American Neutrality, Neutral Trading Rights, Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, Lusotania and American Causalities, Theodore Roosevelt’s Hawkish attitudes, Divide in America over entrance into the War, economic recession prior to the lighting of the Great War
Thesis: Although the U.S.’s entry into the Great War was partly influenced by Wilson’s idealistic hope of “making the world safe for democracy,” the country entered the war mainly to protect and enhance economic interests by pushing for freedom of the seas and by encouraging American financial and industrial support to the Allies.
ReplyDeleteI. By championing the U.S.’s role of spreading democracy to the autocratic nations of Europe and drawing up a “built-to-last” post-war plan in the form of his Fourteen Points, Wilson softened the idea of American intervention in the war for the American public.
Autocracy vs. Democracy: Initial and feeble neutrality (including ethnic ties to European nations), Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire), Allies (France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy), Committee on Public Information, patriotic propaganda.
Wilson’s 14 Points: Secret Treaties, League of Nations, “self-determination,” Colonies created from imperialism deserve special consideration.
II. German aggression on the high seas posed a huge threat to American trade-- so much so that it prompted President Wilson to go against the nation’s policy of isolationism in an attempt to gain lasting trade with the European nations after the war ended.
German Aggression: German U-Boats, Lusitania, Sussex Pledge, Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, danger to U.S. merchant ships.
Lasting trade with Europe: Increased exports to Europe (1914-1916), End of war would open up German markets w/ absence of British navy, Wilson’s Fourteen Points (Freedom of the seas, removal of economic barriers).
III. When the European conflict began in 1914, the U.S. was experiencing a recession, but the country would soon enter a period of war-time prosperity as a direct result of supporting the Allies through both voluntary industrial backing from the people and the support of the various powers of the American economy.
Voluntary Mobilization of the Economy: Women in the war, Food Administration (Herbert C. Hoover), “victory gardens.”
Economic Powers + Government's Backing: Financial backing (loans from wall-street financiers i.e. J.P. Morgan), War Industries Board (Bernard Baruch), National War Labor Board (William H. Taft), government taking control of railroads.
Although President Woodrow Wilson claimed the U.S. had entered the First World War "to make the world safe for democracy," the United States entered the First World War to keep American economic interests secure because Germany was sinking U.S. ships without warning and the United States took thrifty precautions to support the war and save money.
ReplyDeletePresident Woodrow Wilson claimed that the United States entered the First World War "to make the world safe for democracy." 1. Russia was ruled by a czar, making the U.S. uneasy about the partnership until the Russian revolution. Then the U.S. was glad to be an ally to this newly democratic society.
The United States was drawn into the First World War to protect and nurture American economic interests, and Germany's unrestricted attacks on American ships wouldn't benefit a growing economy. 1. The Arabic was a ship attacked by a German submarine before Wilson had declared war. 2. The Sussex was, too. 3. January 31, 1917 Germany told U.S. it'd resume its unrestricted submarine warfare.
The United States entered the First World War to protect and nurture Amarican economic interests because its thrify behavior and trade with U.S. allies worked to keep the economy in check. 1. nonessential factories closed 2. Herbert Hoover encouraged Americans to eat less meat and bread, so more could be sent to French and British troops. 3. selling war supplies to allies boosted business for the U.S., and the amount of foreign trade quadrupled during the war.
When she could stay neutral no longer, the United States entered the First World War. Although President Woodrow Wilson insisted that this entry was "to make the world safe for democracy," the United States entered the First World War to protect and nurture American economic interests because unrestricted submarine warfare was a favorite activity of Germany and the United States was thrifty with her war resources and traded with allies to boost business.
A. Although President Wilson made several attempts to remain neutral during the war, submarine warfare and economic ties with Britain and France provoked the United States to enter WWI which would safeguard our economic interests.
ReplyDeleteI. Submarine warfare played an important role in the US entering WWI.
1. Great Britain declared a naval blockade against Germany by mining the North Sea and seizing ships including US ships, attempting to run a blockade.
2. Germany responded to this blockade by using submarines. Germany announced its own blockade, warning ships attempting to enter the "war zone."
3. The first crisis involving the US was the sinking of the Lusitania. 128 Americans drowned on the submarine. President Wilson sent Germany a strongly worded diplomatic message warning Germany's accountability if its policy of sinking ships continued.
4. The next submarine attack was on a ship called the Arabic. Wilson sent another note of protest to the German government that no more unarmed passenger ships would be sunk without warning. Germany kept its word until March 1916 when a German torpedo hit an unarmed merchant ship, the Sussex, injuring many American passengers. Wilson threatens to cut off all US diplomatic relations with Germany. Germany replied to this with the Sussex pledge, promising not to sink merchant ships without giving warnings.
5. In January 1917, Germany decided to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. They recognized the danger of the US entering the war but believed that, by cutting off supplies to the Allies, they could win war before the US reacted. Germany communicates its decision to the US government. Shortly after, Wilson decided to cut off US diplomatic relations with Germany.
6. This shows that the US wanted to safeguard economic interests because when the British made the decision to declare a blockade against Germany, Wilson protested British seizure of American ships as a violation of a neutral nation's right to freedom of the seas. If we did not have freedom of the seas, our trading rights would be taken away which would hit the economy hard.
II. The US' economic ties with its Allies, Great Britain and France, influenced us to enter WWI.
1. The US' economy rebounded when war broke out due to the orders for war supplies from the British and the French. By 1915, US businesses had never been so prosperous.
2. US manufacturers could've shipped supplies to Germany, but, due to the British blockade, the US' trade was prevented. Wilson's policy did not blatantly favor the Allied powers; however, because the president was indifferent to the British blockade while restricting Germany's submarine blockade, US economic support was going to one side - Britain and France.
3. US trade also quadrupled between 1914 and 1917 while its trade with Germany dwindled to nothing.
4. This shows that the US entered the war to safeguard economic interests because had the US not entered the war, we'd lose all prosperity. Britain and France would not have looked to the US to buy supplies.
III. President Wilson made several attempts to remain neutral during WWI.
1. Before the 1915 election, Wilson sent his chief foreign policy adviser to London, Paris, and Berlin to negotiate a peace settlement. This mission was, unfortunately, unsuccessful.
2. In 1917, Wilson made a speech to the senate declaring US commitment to the idea of "peace without victory."
Although the safeguarding of democracy helped fuel the flame of war, protecting economic interests of the United States was a major reason in the U.S. breaking neutrality because of the hindrance of trade and the support by the allies given to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteThis war was being fought against powers with differing types of government.
• A Serbian killed the Austria-Hungary heir
• The Russian tsar began mobilizing his army
The Germans were hindering trading routes to Europe.
• U-Boat attacks
• American lives lost in sinking of the Lusitania
• U-Boats stopped trade
The Allies gave generous business to American industry, giving economic support.
• J. P. Morgan and Company donated to the Allies
• British was a straight shot across the Atlantic
• Americans donated supplies to the allies
Although reforms made leading up to World War I did help the social realm of the United States, the main interest for entering the war was President Wilson's belief in helping the economy by strengthening bonds with some countries and strengthening our own country through foreign affairs and economic strategy.
ReplyDeleteWhile President Wilson's reform movements led to a more economic focus, years before World War I, Theodore Roosevelt helped in the realm of the social reforms.
*Square Deal
*Elkins Act
*Hepburn Act
*Pure food and drug act
During World War I, Alliances were one of the key factors that contributed to success and change among the countries.
* its degree of secrecy led to fear and suspicion between nations
*Countries were forced to form Alliances so that they could succeed in the war
*these alliances allowed more economic growth among the allies
Entering the war allowed the United States to provide safety for America's economy.
*militarism
*Strengthened the military
*better military allowed a better protection for the country and its economy
Although reforms made leading up to World War I did help the social realm of the United States, the main interest for entering the war was President Wilson's belief in helping the economy by strengthening bonds with some countries and strengthening our own country through foreign affairs and economic strategy.
ReplyDeleteWhile President Wilson's reform movements led to a more economic focus, years before World War I, Theodore Roosevelt helped in the realm of the social reforms.
*Square Deal
*Elkins Act
*Hepburn Act
*Pure food and drug act
During World War I, Alliances were one of the key factors that contributed to success and change among the countries.
* its degree of secrecy led to fear and suspicion between nations
*Countries were forced to form Alliances so that they could succeed in the war
*these alliances allowed more economic growth among the allies
Entering the war allowed the United States to provide safety for America's economy.
*militarism
*Strengthened the military
*better military allowed a better protection for the country and its economy
I) Thesis: Although the rallying cry of the country was to “make the world safe for democracy” through Wilson’s moral diplomacy, the real intention of the United States going into the war was to protect American economic interests due to increased trade with Allied Powers and the Central Powers’ violations of freedom of the seas from
ReplyDeleteII) Athough Paragraph: Because the nation’s majority was fervent in staying neutral throughout the European war, Wilson had to wrap his reasoning around a righteous cause that even the most pacifistic American could get behind. Thus, he rolled out the plan for worldwide democracy.
a. 14 Points:
i. one term of the 14 points offered a sort of comp. of colonial claims between native peoples and the colonizers, which was anti-imperialistic, which goes back to having a nation having a say in its own government
b. Self determination advocate:
i. This was very appealing to the many countries that had been seized during the war and countries under the oppressive Germany and Austria-Hungary. Wilson was a firm believer in letting nations run themselves and be independent as America was
c. League of Nations:
i. Was meant to be the sort of police force of the world without actually being violent. It was to ensure the independence and security of the newly autocratic nations so that they would not again fall into the hands of other oppressors
III) Support Paragraph: As neutral America had fallen on hard times it was the pre-war increase in foreign trade that helped the United States out of a depression.
a. British and French War Orders
i. Increase in war orders of ammunition and supplies helped keep the U.S. economy intact so it could later have money needed to wage war
b. British monopolizing American goods
i. British began to, against U.S. will, to force us to trade with them only by creating a sort of blockade which led to the sinking of many ships
IV) Support Paragraph: Another economic issue was the Central Powers’ violations of freedom of the seas by sinking merchant ships which interfered with U.S. trade and thus the economy.
a. Sinking of merchant, passenger and unarmed ships
i. Lusitania
1. British passenger ship with 128 American lives onboard sank by German torpedoes
2. Though it was carrying small arms ammunition
3. Led to call for war by E. coast Americans because it was messing with their source of income
ii. Arabic
1. another British Liner that was sunken by torpedo, but was in fact unarmed and cost two American lives
2. Led to Berlin agreeing not to sink any unresisting ships without warning, which was later broken with the Sussex
iii. Sussex -> Sussex Pledge
1. French passenger ship torpedoed by Germans
2. violated agreement not to sink unarmed ships led to …
3. Sussex Pledge- Berlin not to sink ANY passenger ships
b. The sinking of ships was interfering with U.S. trade as a neutral nation, so to protect that they went to war against their offenders
Although President Wilson claimed that the reasoning behind the US's entrance into WWI was strictly to "make the world safe for democracy", he actually entered to war to safeguard American economic interests because of Wilson's desire to maintain wartime trading with Britain and France.
ReplyDeleteA. Upon entering WWI, President Wilson claimed that American intervention was necessary in order to make the world safe for democracy.
-Germany threatened the safety of American democracy by promising American states as rewards to Mexico for their alliance to Germany in WWI; this was shown through the Zimmerman Telegraph.
-Germans also threatened democracy by endangering American citizens through the sinking of American vessels.
-However, American involvement in the war actually prompted the most damage to democracy because it would result in war with Mexico and Germany.
B. President Wilson ultimately entered the war in order to protect American economic interests.
-The American economy was highly stimulated by trade with France and Britain.
-However, American merchants were providing the Germans enemies (France and Britain) with the weapons they would use in the war.
-This caused Germany to view America as an enemy, therefore, prompting them to threaten the American nation and initiating American involvement in the war.
Though America sought to remain neutral during WWI, economic interaction with the Allied Countries prompted the opposing Central Powers to threaten American national security and democracy. Therefore, American involvement was rooted in economic ventures instead of the safety of democracy, as stated by Wilson.
Although, some may argue that the United States entered the first World War not "to make the safe for democracy", the country entered the war under Wilson, however, to safeguard American economic interests through Wilson's war aid to the British and French, loans, and taxes.
ReplyDelete1.For a start, the United States did enter the first World War to make the world safe for democracy.
~ This is understood because Wilson wanted the war to be fought for the triumph of democracy.
~ To Wilson's disappointment, one of the allies was Russia, an autocratic czar.
~ Similarly, in a speech given on April 2, 1917, Wilson declared "The world must be made safe for democracy " in regards to German's submarine policy. This is how Wilson's fight for democracy contributed to the United States's war entrance.
2. Wilson's war aid to the British and French was his primary method of maintaining American economic interest because aiding Britain and France brought in enormous money gains for the country even though the United States claimed to be neutral nation.
~Because of the orders for war supplies from the British and the French, the economy rebounded drastically.
~ The United States businesses were more prosperous than ever also.
~ This lead to British blockades of American ships to ensure no military aid to Germany.
~ As a result, Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare to cut off supplies to their allies.
~ This lead to Wilson's speech, where he referred to Germany's submarine policy as "warfare against mankind". He then declared war.
3. In addition to Wilson's war aid to the British and French, loans also contributed to the reason the United States entered the war to safeguard American economic interest.
~ Because Britain and France could not finance the purchase of everything they needed, J.P. Morgan and other bankers loaned as much as $3 billion in security credit.
~ These loans maintained the United States prosperity.
4. Lastly, taxes contributed to the reason the United States entered the war under Wilson to safeguard American economic interest.
~ To pay for this war, Wilson's war government raised $33 billion by raising taxes.
~ Congress did this by increasing personal and corporate taxes and placing an exercise tax on luxury goods.
~ This money helped the United States enter the war with needed finances.
Although President Wilson had claimed to enter the war on the basis of making the world safe for democracy, the goal of the United States’ entering into the war was protecting its own economic interests because of our investments in France and Britain and the sinking of merchant ships by the German U-boats.
ReplyDelete1) Much like the War of 1812, the United States had wanted to remain neutral, however, meanwhile explore its economic options by selling arms to its Allies.
a) Trade was important economic opportunity
b) Loaned large sums of money to France and Britain
i) Amounted to 2.25 billion
c) Economy would have crashed had Allies lost
2) Much like the France and Britain of 1812, Germany began attacking merchant ships to prevent the American aid to countries against itself, except rather than seizing ships and impressing soldiers, Germany began practicing its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.
a) Sinking of ships was point of entering war
i) Sank any ship regardless if merchant or not
b) Similar action of France and Great Britain
Moreover, the United States had wanted to explore its economic options yet remain neutral in WWI, much like its intentions during the War of 1812; however, Germany, much like France and Great Britain in the past, said that if the United States had really wanted to remain neutral, it wouldn’t be aiding the countries against Germany.
Although making the world safe for democracy was a reason for the US to enter the war, the main reason was to protect American economic interests because American ships that were trading with other countries were being sunk by German submarines.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that the US joined the war was because of the German unrestricted warfare.
- the US warned Germany in 1916 to stop or diplomatic relations would be severed
- in 1917, Germany said they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships
- throughout 2 months, Germany sunk several US ships, this helped get motivate Americans to join the war
Although the U.S. tried to remain neutral in a time of war in Europe, the American public's opinion towards Germany and their harmful acts contributed to Wilson's decision to declare war.
ReplyDeletePresident Wilson adhered to the adivce given by our founding fathers but only for so long.
*Washington's innagural address
*maintain policy that favored neither Allies nor Central
*isolationist nation
*protect U.S. trading rights
*war order suppliles benefited American economy
*cost of war
When Germany began to threaten American economy and safety, Wilson made a huge decision.
*April 2, 1917
*unrestricted submarine warfare
Lusitania and Sussex
*violation of Sussex Pledge
*Zimmerman Telegram
Although President Wilson claimed that the U.S. entered The Great War to "make the world safe for democracy", his real reason in entering the war was to safeguard American economic interests.
ReplyDeletePresident Wilson said in his declaration of war speech that the United States needed to enter the war to "make the world safe for democracy".
-Lusitania
-submarine warfare
-Zimmerman Telegraph
The true intention of Americans entering the Great War was the economic interests that were at stake.
-neutrality
-federal spending(increase from civilian to war goods.)
-trade with foreign countries
Although the United States wanted to stay neutral during the war, big alliances with Britain and France caused the U.S to inter the war because hurt them more to stay neutral than to fight in the war.
ReplyDeleteBecause the United States was in a business recession before the war, supplying Britain and France helped the United States in their economy.
• Trade
• Loans
• Strong Allied power
President Wilson wanted to stay neutral but Germany declaring war on Britain caused the United States to suffer with Britain.
• Sinking of Lusitania
• Germany blockade
• Unrestricted submarine war fare