Synopses & Reviews
During the first eighteen months of World War I - from August 1914 to December 1915 - Woodrow Wilson's administration deflected attempts to force the US into taking sides in the conflict. As this carefully argued study shows, however, neutrality was ultimately an unsustainable stance. Even as Wilson sought to help mediate a peace settlement, the war presented the US with irresistible economic opportunities in the form of trade with the Allies. The paradox created by Wilson's idealistic and pragmatic goals ultimately drove him to abandon neutrality in late 1915, paving the way for America's entrance into the war a year and a half later.
Review
to come
Review
'Through its careful study of US trade, Floyd's book refocuses Woodrow Wilson's abandonment of US neutrality during World War I onto economic factors. It is an enlightening and well researched contribution.' - Emily S. Rosenberg, editor,
A World Connecting, 1870-1945'Abandoning American Neutrality is a profound and ultimately chilling portrait of a president who thought his rhetorical gifts could make fatally conflicting goals somehow coexist.' - Thomas Fleming, author of The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I
'Floyd's book will be particularly appealing to a wide audience because it is well written - he presents his narrative in a logical and clear manner that engages the reader. He also shows an impressive command of primary sources, including those from Great Britain. This book deals with an important and timely topic.' - Ross Kennedy, Associate Professor, Department of History, Illinois State University, USA
Synopsis
During the first 18 months of World War I, Woodrow Wilson sought to maintain American neutrality, but as this carefully argued study shows, it was ultimately an unsustainable stance. The tension between Wilson's idealism and pragmatism ultimately drove him to abandon neutrality, paving the way for America's entrance into the war in 1917.
Synopsis
During the first twelve months of World War I President Woodrow Wilson had a sincere desire to maintain American neutrality. The president, however, soon found this position unsustainable. As Wilson sought to mediate an end to the European conflict he realized that the war presented an irresistible opportunity to strengthen the US economy though expanded trade with the Allies. As this carefully argued study shows, the contradiction between Wilson's idealistic and pragmatic aims ultimately drove him to abandon neutrality in late 1915 - helping to pave the way for America's entrance into the war.
About the Author
M. Ryan Floyd is Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy at Lander University, USA.
Table of Contents
1. "An Awful Cataclysm": British War Aims, Neutral Rights at Sea, and Early US Mediation Efforts, July 1914-September 1914
2. "An Exceedingly Tender Spot": The Conclusion of the Declaration of London Debate, Britain's Revised Order in Council, and the US Mid-Term Congressional Elections, October 1914-November 1914
3. "At Peace With the World": The Developing Anglo-American Munitions Trade and US Efforts to Maintain the Spirit of Neutrality, October 1914-December 1914
4. "A Friend to All of Them": Fighting the Munitions Bills, Promoting a Government Owned Merchant Marine and Restarting Talks of Mediation, December 1914-January 1915
5. "Twittering of a Sparrow": House's Second Mission to Europe, German Submarine Warfare, Strict Accountability, and the Tightening of the Allied Blockade, February 1915-April 1915
6. "The Palliations of Piracy": The Submarine Crisis, Allied Shell Shortages, and the Failure of House's Second Mission to Europe, April 1915-June 1915
7. "The Shadow of War": Britain's Economic Emergency, US Distrust of Germany, and Violating American Neutrality, June 1915-August 1915
8. "He Has Thus Crossed the Rubicon": Dictated Conclusion to the Arabic Crisis, Sending Home German and Austro-Hungarian Diplomats, and Clandestine US Mediation Efforts, September 1915-December 1915