French and Germans alike enthusiastically reveled in the outbreak of the war they all perceived as inevitable. In August 1914, both powers expected a short and vicious war that would come to an end by the end of the year. Germany, under the expectations of the Schlieffen Plan, anticipated a swift move through Belgium straight to Paris before the slow Russian army could mobilize and divert their forces to engage in a two front war. The French, with their Russian allies to the East, also foresaw a brief end to the war by way of Alsace-Lorraine and onto Berlin. To the surprise of all of Europe, the war dragged on and on while the loss of life and tremendous strain on each power's population continued to grow. All the while, the United States, under Wilson, took a strong stance of neutrality. It was Europe's fight and the national interests of the United States were not affected, yet. Although the U.S. claimed neutrality and traded with all belligerents, U.S. firms and banks supplied the Allies with weapons and credits totaling $2.3 billion, sufficient grounds for German condemnation of US actions. Consequently, U.S. merchant ships were fair game to German U-boats, and as unrestricted submarine warfare reappeared, the affect felt by the Americans grew. The sinking of the Lusitania, on May 7, 1915 killed 139 Americans and lead to an outcry amongst U.S. citizens, however; it wasn't until the Zimmerman Affair when the U.S. decided to take an active and belligerent role in the w
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