What Are America's Economic Interests In Ww1

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When World War I erupted across Europe because of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The alliance system that has been put by European Nations had made countries choose sides and turn a simple local scale conflict into a wide scale war. It was harder being neutral because of restrictions on trading with countries in war. Thus the United States declared war against Germany. Economic Interests, German Naval Policies, and Wilson’s ideology influenced America’s decision to going into war. American economic interests played a key role in Wilson declaring war. A large economic boom from the 1914-1917 result of selling goods to European powers. The United States was in an economic recession pre war and was a main influence into finding new markets. With the war going on into Europe these economic interests were vulnerable as the entirety of Europe's trading seemed to halt. As a country that was neutral, the United States could freely trade with any nation. Great Britain's blockade over Germany made us stop our trading with them. The Federal Reserve Bank also played a big role in loaned money to the French and Britain so they can fight the war. The United States wanted then to win so they can repay them …show more content…

German submarines blockaded Great Britain draining them of supplies needed to defeat Germany in World War I. The sinking of the Lusitania under the German Naval Policy made lots of Americans upset. The Lusitania was a passenger ship that held “more than 1,900 passengers and crew members on board, more than 1,100 perished, including more than 120 Americans” (Lusitania). From the sinking of the Lusitania lots of propaganda posters sprung up. After this tragic incident the United States still maintained its neutrality and did not join the war. Thus not being the biggest factor for us joining the war, but one of the major contributions that led us to wage war on