Analyse Anglo-American relations from 1917 to 1941 Essay

Analyse Anglo-American relations from 1917 to 1941 - Essay Example The United States originally held a neutral position when the Great War broke out. It wanted to continue its isolationist policy and was fearful of getting embroiled in European conflicts. Its industries were also heavily engaged with European markets. President Woodrow Wilson also pointed out that â€Å"The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sympathy and desire among them with regard to the issues and circumstances of the conflict†¦ Such divisions amongst us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of the proper performance of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one people holding itself ready to play a part of impartial mediation and speak the counsels of peace and accommodation, not as a partisan, but as a friend.†1 The British knew that American arms and support are vital to turn the tide in t he Allies’ favor. This neutral position was reversed with the occurrence of several events, including the sinking of the Lusitania and Germany’s declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare. American entry into the war on April 6, 1917 can be considered as the foundation and the beginning of a long and lasting friendship between the U.K. and U.S. The Allies now had relatively unlimited resources and men which tipped the balance against the Central Powers. The British and American forces cooperated under a unified command headed by Field Marshal Foch and the latter agreed to fight alongside their European comrades and partially relinquish command independence in its operations. The British prime minister, along with the prime ministers of France and Italy, also appealed for more troops in 1918. It was clear that the United States had the military and financial muscle needed by the Allies to gain