WW1 Flashcards
foreign policy
- Washington doctrine
o Neutrality
o Good faith toward all nations
o Avoid close long-term relationships (as this could drag us into conflict e.g. alliance system in Europe)
o Avoid rivalries
o If at all only enter into temporary alliances in extreme danger
o Trade was the most critical aspect of US dealing with other nation
1823 president Monroe
- Monroe doctrine
o Guided US F.P up to entry into WW1 (1917)
o Then later revived in 20s and 30s
1) Efforts by European Nations to colonise or interfere with the ‘Americans’ viewed as act of aggression = US intervention
2) US would not interfere with existing colonies
3) Policy of isolationism = US would not get involved in European affairs, therefore stay out of WW1
US neutrality
- Ethnic mix of US = so many immigrants or children of immigrants
o Irish disliked US
o German sympathy
o British and Italian wanted Ally victory
o Russian Jews – Tsarist Russia on Ally side
o ‘Old America’ – either neutral or sympathy for allies
factors eroding US neutrality
- Woodrow Wilson struggled with neutrality as he wanted o Isolation o Avoid internal conflicts o WW1 wasn’t US problem o Peace movement growing o Big profits on trade
problems with neutrality
o US settled by UK
o Cutting of the German Trans-Atlantic Cable
o Russian Revolution = wouldn’t have to fight on side of dictatorship
o US given more loans to UK and France
o German unrestricted sub warfare
o Zimmerman telegram
US entry to WW1
o Roosevelt expansionism (taking over other countries)
o Roosevelt and Wilson hate each other
o “speak softly and carry a big stick”
o “America is the only idealist nation in the world”
background
o In 1918 Germany was promised a peace treaty based on the 14 points
o T.O.V was so heavily changed by France and UK, Germany was furious
o Wilson’s aim was to avoid revenge and install peace
3 main points
1) Small nations should govern themselves
2) Trade berries, arms should be reduced
3) Set up a L.O.N to settle dispute
US reaction
By attending the Paris Peace Conference (1919) Wilson appeared to turn back on returning soldiers
Problems
• Unemployment
• Mass strikes
• Racial conflicts
• Farm price disputesvoting for Paris peace conference
o 1918 Republicans won both houses= Wilson no support
o No republicans invited to P.P.C therefore unlikely to support T.O.V
o 37 Republican Senators had voted to condemn L.ON
o Main concern = loss of sovereignty
o In 1912 senate finally passes the peace treaties but refused to join L.O.N
o Belief that US should not have joined WW1 was growing
international obstacles in achieving Wilsons 14 points
o France and Britain wanted revenge on Germany
o Countries were unwilling to reduce tariff. Wilson wanted free trade
o France refused to disarm Germany being forced to
o Those countries with empires such as Britain and France did not want to grant their colonies self-determination. Wilson advocated self-determination
o However, allied powers were favourable to the idea of a L.O.N
domestic obstacles in achieving 14 points
- Wilson wanted America to be a member of his L.O.N. In order to achieve this 2/3s of the senate needed to approve entry into the L.O.N
- The senators were dived into three groups which crossed party lines although most democrats supported Wilson
• Those who supported Wilson (democrats)
• Those who didn’t want America to enter the league (republicans)
• Those who did not oppose America entering the L.O.N, but did not want America to be bound by article 10 of the covenant of the L.O.N - America never became a member of the League of Nations
