8. 2 The U.S. and the First World War
When the World War I broke out in 1914, with Austria-Hungary
declaring war on Serbia. America’s first reaction was to stay out
to conflict. President Wilson, in his speech to the Congress on
August 19, 1914 said: "Every man who really loves America
will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality. The United
States must be neutral in fact as well as in name during these days
that are to try men’s souls. We must be impartial in thought as
well as in action."
All American leaders favored neutrality. While the entire European continent was divided into two camps: Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey as Central Powers were pitted against the Allied powers: Serbia, Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and Russia. As the war progressed, American public sympathies veered to the Allied side. Under the leadership of J.P. Morgan and Company many banking firms gave huge loans to the Allied powers.
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Table of Contents
8.0 - Chronology of Major Events 8.1 -
Woodrow Silson's Administration 8.2 -
The U.S. And The First World War 8.3 -
Neutrality Rights 8.4 -
Peace And Diplomacy At The Versailles Conference 8.5 - Points To Remember
Chapter 9
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