American_beginnings.pptVIP

World War I and the United States U.S. policy in WWI (from neutrality to entering) 　　 The First World War, which broke out in 1914, was the result of fierce struggle between two imperialist blocs for colonies, markets, and spheres of influence. 　　 Most Americans felt that their country had no vital interests in the outcome of the war. On August 4, 1914, President Wilson issued an official statement proclaiming American neutrality. World War I and the United States U.S. involvement 　But the United States was impartial neither in action, nor in thought. It pursed a policy of pro-Ally partiality. Britain and France could buy arms and war materials from the U.S. and get loans from American banks and financial institutions, while Germany could have little access to American resources because of British control of Atlantic. When Germany used submarines to cut British sea routes and sink American ships, the U.S government threatened to go to war against Germany. 　In the end, when Germany refused to give up its submarine warfare, the U.S. government declared war on Germany on April 6,1917. 4.1 World War I World War I and the United States The Versailles Treaty System and the Washington System 　　 The war ended on November 11,1918, and the Peace Conference (the Paris Conference) began on January 18,1919. 　　 The conference was actually a conference of division of colonies of the defeated nations. It was dominated by the Big Four (the United States, Britain, France and Italy). Although President Wilson put forward a program of Fourteen Points, which was praised by many as liberal and progressive, he was actually trying to advance American interests. The United States in the 1920s A period of material success As a result of the war, the U.S. had changed from a debtor nation to a creditor. There was further urbanization, new development of technology and mass production in the 1920s. With the growth of production, there was a marked increase in the living standar