The road to World War II
In the early days of the First World War, the United States was desperate to stay out of the European war and institute a neutrality policy. However, the two sides fought for U.S. support, often even at a danger to the U.S. The passive stand that America took in involvement in World War I only prolonged the inevitable and came at a price to the U.S. The American public didn't want to be involved in World War I, and Wilson and the democrats knew it, although neutrality was a difficult stand to take. The British, who wanted the Americans to back their side in the war, refused to back U.S. peace drives. The Germans, who wanted the U.S. on their side, against Britain, violated pledges for the waters when it began U-boat attacks. This campaign was extended over many years. The two countries of Germany and England were desperate for the western giant's support that would threaten American neutrality. The American people, however, would rather stay of war, and lose their right to the seas. Both sides became increasingly angry with the American position of neutrality. England publicly declared, "Anyone who talked of peace was a friend of Germany."
Because of the determination of both sides to force America into World War I, it was inevitable that we should enter, by prolonging our neutrality, we merely were dodging the bullet. Wilson promoted peace at every turn, but both sides disliked the idea, in fact the Chancellor of Germany predicted that peace talks would be unsuccessful. Wilson wanted to demand an end to the war, but at this point in the war, it would have ruined the Allies. If that were to ensue, the U.S. would risk war with France or England. This created only hostility towards the British, but continued diplomacy with Germany. The underlying cause of this friendly nature was not to remain neutral. Wilson thought that if the Americans weren't going to stand up for their rights to the seas, that this would be the way to reduce the submarine warfare. Then came the Zimmerman note, which was a proposal to Mexico to start a war with the U.S. to get the U.S. involved in war, and Mexico would get the Mexican cession back. Merchant ships had begun to arm themselves. A policy of "[anything] to protect American lives and commerce" was begun by many sea-going traders. But the presid
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Approximate Word count = 783
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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