American Neutrality during 2 Crises
Uploaded by Brainy81 on May 03, 2022
American Neutrality during 2 Crises
Situation 1: German Submarine Warfare
“A new situation has thus been created which forces Germany to new decisions. Since two years and a half England is using her naval power for a criminal attempt to force Germany into submission by starvation. In brutal contempt of international law, the group of powers led by England not only curtail the legitimate trade of their opponents, but they also, by ruthless pressure, compel neutral countries either to altogether forego every trade not agreeable to the Entente Powers [England and its allies] . . . Since the attempts to come to an understanding with the Entente Powers have been answered . . . with the announcement of an intensified continuation of the war, the Imperial Government [Germany]--in order to serve the welfare of mankind in a higher sense and not to wrong its own people--is now compelled to continue the fight for existence . . . with the full employment of all the weapons which are at its disposal. Sincerely trusting that the people and the Government of the United States will understand the motives for this decision and its necessity, the Imperial Government hopes that the United States may view the new situation from the lofty heights of impartiality, and assist, on their part, to prevent further misery and unavoidable sacrifice of human life . . . From February 1, 1917, sea traffic will be stopped with every available weapon and without further notice in . . . blockade zones around Great Britain, France, Italy and in the Eastern Mediterranean . . . “
-February 1, 1917, message from German Ambassador Count Johann von Bernstoff to the U.S. Secretary of State, Robert Lansing
Situation 2: The Zimmerman Telegram
Arthur Zimmermann was the German Foreign Minister. The telegram was written on January 19, 1917 but was not sent to Mexico until February 24. British intelligence agents obtained a copy and gave it to the United States, which publicly released the telegram on March 1:
"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory...