Was the United States ever neutral in WW1? If so, when did it change to a policy favoring the Allies?

In a time of "Germaphobia",WW1 was caused by imperialism,nationalism, and militarism. It was ignited by the assassination of Franz Fernidad the heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne by a Serb nationalist. The two opposing forces in WW1 were to be known as the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire) and the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan. The main causes of America entering the war include the interception of the Zimmerman Note and Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. The United States was originally neutral come the beginning of WW1, but was forced to enter by imperialism, economics with the Allies, and nationalism.

Germany's unrestriced submarine warfare was killing American civilians and Wilson stepped in to try and mediate the situation. Wilson's 14 Points was describe Democracy as the ability to have open seas. In, (Doc. I) Germany was found to be doing the exact opposite. American was neutral until then. It was the actions of other countries that began having an effect on America's imperialism. Wilson was bound to decide. Showing Wilson’s decision was not only in the hands of other countries but the American citizens would be the quote “Neutrality depends on citizens” (Doc. A). Germany was destroying any vessel in their waters. (Doc. G) shows Wilson's decision to side with the Allies.

Wilson came to side on with public decision. Allied forces including Britain were attempting to keep American ships out of the German waters(Doc. C). Wilson felt that with the international connections the war would end soon. Germany's plan was eliminate America's political status in WW1,(Doc. E). American ships were being sunk by the Germans including the Lusitania, carrying contraband to the Allied forces, (Doc. F).


The Germans soon realized that Wilson was supplying Allied forces with surplus goods since the beginning of the war,(Doc. D). Three major corporations played a big role on where America would enter the war. They were The War Industries, Food Administration, and the War Labor boards. Not siding with the Allies would have damage economic ties with the Eastern hemisphere. Wilson would have to fight to sustain democracy.

Nationalism was a major cause of World War 1.“How come neutrality” (Doc. B.), was the universal phrase come the 3rd year of WW1. With America as Pro-British and Anti-German Wilson declared war on the Central powers April 4th, 1917. With this decision “U.S.A. neutral” (Doc. H), was ended and then came their entrance to "the war to end all war", a propoganda phrase used to hype American civilian support.

The United States was neutral come the beginning of WW1 but soon dismissed "neutrality" entered on the side of the Allies. They were forced to enter with the presence of imperialism, economics with the Allies, and nationalism. Though the war ended, and America expierenced the "Roaring Twenties", the Great Depression and instavility and rise in militarism in Europe and Asia was soon let people know that the peace would not last long.