American Neutrality

• At the start of the war, the USA refused to take sides.
• Despite officially being neutral, American banks lent around two billion dollars to the Allies.
• American companies also sold food, weapons and other goods to the Allies.
• Ships transporting American supplies to Britain were a target for German U-boats.
• As more ships were sunk, anti-German feeling grew in the USA.
• After the sinking of the Lusitania, there were calls for the USA to enter the war, President Woodrow Wilson refused.