s. Wilson was growing frustrated with the position of neutrality, but also realized what war did to people. So, he began to draw up new plans for American foreign policy. This plan called for an end to the financing of the Allied war effort by American banks, but the British were dependent on the American back up. There was a great fear that the American economy would become too involved and dependent on war trade. Because of the British need for American support and the American lack of such, the Germans found the time to ask for peace. This would begin a peace campaign that was backed by unrestricted submarine warfare. Wilson advocated the peace effort. The Allies became angry with Wilson for “playing Germany’s game” and the Germans were angry because they suspected that the U.S. was pro-British. The Allies later rejected the plan for peace. The Allies made it clear that Germany would pay for the war. The Germans returned the favor. They warned of unrestricted submarine warfare and the possibility of war with America. Germans promised destruction of all American ships in war zones, and the destruction of neutral shipping boats. This was coupled with a desire to restrict Allied shipping and hinder their resources. Wilson quickly advocated an end to the war without the declaration of victory. Organizations were formed to keep the U.S. out of war, but they were hastily put together and met with limited success. Germany still maintained its campaign of “sea terror.” The U.S. was not willing to enter the war. Then came the Zimmerman note, which was a proposal to Mexico to start a war with the U.S. to get the U.S. involved in war, and Mexico would get the Mexican cession back. Merchant ships had begun to arm themselves. A policy of “[anything] to protect American lives and commerce” was begun by many sea-going traders. But the president never authorized any of this. A bill wa...
