Us involvement in WW1
WWI begins in Europe in 1914 after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand of Austria
sparks a complex set of alliances into action
U.S. proclaimed neutrality; President Woodrow Wilson ran on this in the Election of 1916
and won
Many Americans wanted to stay out; culturally aligned with England, but a large
German-American population existed in U.S.
American bankers J.P Morgan & Co. were loaning large amounts of money to England
and France; $2 billion
Throughout the war, Germany slowly became aggressive toward U.S.
Sunk British luxury liner Lusitania in 1915; U.S. media portrayed Germany as
evil
By 1917, U.S. had cut off Germany; banks were supporting British and French
Germany opened U-Boat attacks on all ships, including U.S.
February, 1917: Zimmerman Telegram offers Mexico to help Germany; made
public in U.S.
April, 1917: U.S. declares war on Germany
American military was key for Allies
Russia had just dropped out; American troops were important in key battles in
1918
Also was a mental boost for Allies and crushed Germany’s spirit
Germany surrenders November, 1918
Asia V.S. Latin AMerica approach?
The big difference between the U.S. approach to Asia from Latin America is that the U.S. saw Latin
America as its own backyard and was very protective; Asia was seen as less controllable and so the
U.S. worked to cooperate with Europe over Asia
Us and post war settlement
Paris Peace Conference in 1919 lasted six months
Wilson had grand plans
14 Points to change the world for the better; 14th called for a “League of Nations”
Wilson was the only American in attendance; never worked with Congress to organize a
plan
US and China
China has traditionally been closed to foreigners; believed they were self-sufficient and
did not need outside corruption
By 1840s, U.S. sought inroads in China for trade; British were already there
1844: Treaty of Wangxia opened up China; U.S. gained full trade access
1850-1890: U.S. continued to make treaties with China’s Qing Dynasty
Later called “Unequal Treaties”; all favored U.S.; Americans did not
need to follow Chinese laws
1900: U.S. called for “Open Door Policy”; wanted no restrictions to China for
U.S. or Europeans
1900 Boxer Rebellion in China sought to kick out U.S. and Europeans; both sent
in militaries to put it down
1911: Chinese Revolution overthrew Qing Dynasty; cited weakness toward
outsiders
Treaty of Versailles 1919
Most of Wilson’s points were rejected; League of Nations was formed
Wilson returned to U.S. and found a Republican Congress opposed to joining;
was unable to get support
Did not make requested changes; had ill health preventing him from
politicking
US and Japan
U.S. Navy forces Japan to open up to trade; Matthew Perry’s visit in 1853
In response, Japan industrialized and militarized quickly (unlike China)
1905: Japan defeated Russia in war; signaled rise of Japan as world power
U.S. treated Japan with more equality
1908: Root-Takahira Agreement between U.S. and Japan agreed to share
Pacific/China; allowed Japan to annex Korea
Cooperated with 1921 Washington Naval Conference
U.S. still saw Japan as inferior
Opposed Japanese role in League of Nations
Isolationist how?
Enacted immigration restrictions
Never joined League of Nations
Increased tariffs on foreign trade
Hawaii
In late-1800s, U.S. businessmen settled in Hawaii and gained serious influence
on the island
o Hawaii had both serious commercial (fruit, trade port) and military
prospects
1891: Americans in Hawaii stage rebellion, ask U.S. to annex Hawaii
1898: U.S. annexes Hawaii to join new lands from Spanish American War
There were some elements of U.S. international policies; mostly benefitted U.S. how?
1921: Washington Naval Conference reduced global navies
1924: Dawes Plan sent loans to Germany, which ended up as “reciprocal loans”
through England and France
1928: Kellogg-Briand Pact agreed to not use war... didn’t work...
Philippines
Taken as a part of the 1898 Spanish-American War
Filipinos had been rebelling against Spanish for years; thought U.S. would be
liberators
U.S. did not grant Filipinos self-government; Filipinos continued to rebel against
U.S.
1899-1902: Philippine-American War
250,000 Filipino casualties
U.S. gains control of Philippines until 1945 after WWII