USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
Which of the following was a reason why many Americans were initially pleased by Pres. Wilson ‘s policy of neutrality?

(A) They preferred to focus on matters taking place at home rather than going overseas to fight in a war.

(B) ** They believed that staying neutral provided opportunities for the country to recover from economic downturn.

(C) They thought that getting involved in these foreign affairs would be an unwise way of overstepping alliances.

(D) They trusted Pres. Wilson’s judgement, and believed he was making decisions in the countries best interest.

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Wilson cited Germany’s violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance against the United States, as his reasons for declaring war.

Concept note-2: -Wilson thought that the United States alone could shape an effective peace settlement because he believed that the combatants were politically and morally bankrupt. Wilson felt that American intervention in 1917 would ensure that the United States would play a decisive role and dominate the postwar peace conference.

Concept note-3: -His neutral stance and lack of involvement in foreign matters have been attributed to his religious upbringing and academic background. A devout Christian, Wilson did not believe God was calling him to enter World War I, so he attempted to keep the United States out of the conflict.

Concept note-4: -After the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914, President Wilson declared American neutrality. He insisted from the start that the United States be neutral “in fact as well as in name, ” a policy the majority of American people enthusiastically endorsed.