History

Discussion #6: Did America really practice isolation and neutrality during WWI?

In 1914 Woodrow Wilson proclaimed U.S. neutrality, and asked the American people to remain “impartial in thought as well as deed.” At the end of the war, some members of the government pushed to expand American influence but to also remain free of any commitments, a policy its critics referred to as isolationism.

In order to prepare for this discussion forum:

Review and identify the relevant sections of Chapter 23 that support your discussion. You might also find some of the content covered in Chapter 21 relevant to this discussion.
Read Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Read Wilson’s Joint Address to Congress leading to the declaration of WWI
Read the transcript of Wilson’s 14 Points
After you have completed your readings post a response to only ONE of the following questions.

In your opinion, was U.S. policy in Asia and Latin America between from late nineteenth century to 1914 truly isolationist? Discuss and support your response.
In your opinion, did America remain neutral in “thought and deed” from 1914 to 1917? Discuss and support your response.
In order to earn the full 100 points (100%) for this assignment, you must:

Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings. (80 points)
Students must respond to at least one fellow student’s posting explaining the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement, with the arguments that have been presented, in order to get full credit for the discussion. (20 points)
When posting your response to a fellow student’s comment, please try whenever possible, to select the question that you did not address for your discussion.
Make sure that all statements are supported with facts from the reading selections.

ANSWER

Neutrality During WW1

Discussion #6: Did America really practice isolation and neutrality during WWI?

In your opinion, did America remain neutral in “thought and deed” from 1914 to 1917?

I can affirm that America remained neutral in “though and deed” from 1914 to 1917. The United States kept its military small even though there was an active threat of war. Their lack of military, mobilization can only be interpreted as the unwillingness to participate in the conflict after all. When Germany decided to pursue an unrestricted submarine warfare campaign, chief military advisers argued that it would take the US more than a year to mobilize hence giving the Germans enough time to win. This was an indication that even potential foes were aware of America’s disengagement and neutrality.

The United States kept a peacetime economy as an indication of neutrality. Even though the country made loans to allied powers, these were made in the interest of business rather than engagement in the war. In 1915 when a German U-boat sank RMS Lusitania leading to the death of 128 Americans and many other foreign nationals on board, the US only threatened to take action if such incidences persisted but did not take immediate action. President Woodrow Wilson led the country in preaching the gospel of neutrality and preventing the US from entering the conflict. The population did not seem ready for a conflict and public opinion confirmed that position. The country however reached a breaking point threatened by the possibility of a German-Mexican opposition south of the border in pursuit of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. American was also threatened by Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare campaign that attacked all vessels including passenger liners. The decision to enter the war at this point to protect the direct threat to the United States was necessary and such an action cannot erase the earlier years of neutrality.