Neutrality to Victory: The United States in World War I

Did the United States follow a policy of neutrality between 1914 and 1917?

How did the United States' stance on neutrality change from 1914 to 1917?

From Neutrality to Engagement

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the United States declared its policy of neutrality. Initially, the US maintained its neutrality by engaging in trade with both the Allied and Central powers while trying to facilitate peace negotiations. However, by 1917, the country's stance had shifted significantly.

During the first few years of the war, the United States tried to stay out of the conflict by remaining neutral and mediating peace talks. American public opinion was divided, with some sympathizing with the Allies and others advocating for strict neutrality.

Events such as the sinking of the British ocean liner Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915, which resulted in the deaths of American citizens, and the revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram in 1917, in which Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against the US, turned the tide of public opinion against Germany. These incidents, along with increased pressure from Allied powers, pushed the United States closer to entering the war.

In April 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, citing the country's violations of American neutrality and the need to "make the world safe for democracy." The US mobilized its economy and military for the war effort, sending troops to Europe and eventually playing a crucial role in the Allied victory.

By abandoning its neutrality and actively participating in the conflict, the United States played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of World War I. Its decision to join the war had far-reaching implications for both the country and the world at large.