were authorized to search suspect ships for contraband, remove the passengers safely, and destroy the ship. The Germans, however, began sinking U.S. ships against the laws. They no longer searched ships they just hit them. They tried to reinstate relations with the United States by declaring that they would attempt to not sink neutral ships, but that mistakes may occur. Wilson decided to continue trade, but he warned Germany that they would be held accountable for any attacks on American ships or citizens. In the first months of 1915, German’s sank about ninety ships within the war zone, including the Lusitania, a British ship carrying 128 Americans. Wilson angered at German refusal to comply with international law, threatened to break all diplomatic relations with the country. From this threat came the “Sussex Pledge.” Germans agreed not to sink passenger ships and merchant vessels without giving warning. Wilson accepted the pledge and persuaded the Allies to modify their “illegal” blockades. This was a temporary solution to a problem that would persist and grow.Remaining neutral became more difficult as the fighting went on. Wilson made one final attempt to keep a hesitant and peaceful nation out of war. In January of 1917, he declared that only a negotiated “peace without victory” would be a safe end to the battle. Germany responded by shockingly announcing that they intended to sink all ships in the war zone, including America’s. Wilson saw no other option then to break off all diplomatic ties with Germany. However, he refused to enter the war until Germans acted out against American lives and property. And thus, the United States continued to remain neutral for longer than most would expect. This on-going decision to remain neutral was a benefit to the Germans. Obviously the United States would eventually enter the war on the British side; the only question was when i...
