Why did the united states adopt a policy of neutrality from 1914 to 1917 - Essay Example

US President Wilson publicly declared this neutrality policy, and most Americans welcomed it. In this essay, the main reasons behind America’s adoption of neutrality policy will be established. In addition, the effectiveness of this policy will be determined, basing on different events that occurred during the period 1914-1917. Since the late 19th Century, different countries in Europe had been forming unions and alliances, to enhance their preparedness for war. This saw the Independent German Kingdoms come together in the late 1870’s, and this became the most powerful in the continent.

During that time, France highly invested in weapons, in anticipation of an attack from Germany, its long time enemy. The power status of German was a threat to most counties, including Russia, which had to take sides with France, Great Britain, and even German itself, to ensure its safety. The British effort to remain uninvolved in conflict was impossible, owing to its ownership of the most powerful navy in the world. Unrest in Europe was hastened by rebellious provinces of Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman leaders who aimed at expansion of their empire.

However, Europe was resistant to war and tried to withhold this for a long time. During this period, the Central powers included Ottoman Turks, Germans, and Austro-Hungarians, while their rivals, the entente powers included France, Great Britain, and Russia (U.S Department of State Web). The United States of America dissociated itself from these events, even though most of its citizens were generally inclined to England and the Entente powers. Most Americans did not want their county to participate in the war.

America therefore distanced itself from these events, and hoped not to get involved in them. Most Americans, as well as their leaders, including the president and the congress then, adopted this perspective. The then president Woodrow Wilson introduced the “neutrality policy,” publicly citing that the USA