State Historical Society of Iowa

U.S. Neutrality Proclamation, August 6, 1914

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, "U.S. Neutrality Proclamation," Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier, 6 August 1914

Description

This article from the Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier is a reprinting of the U.S. Neutrality Proclamation at the start of World War I in Europe. The proclamation outlines President Woodrow Wilson's acts to preserve the neutrality of the United States.
Wilson's proclamation comes just over a month since the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and a week after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. At this time the United States 1 out of every 3 people were born outside of the United States, many of which had connections to the Central Powers.

Transcript of the U.S. Neutrality Proclamation

Printable Excerpt of U.S. Neutrality Proclamation

Source Dependent Questions

  • How did the historical context impact Wilson's message? What would have influenced his desire to remain neutral?
  • Review Wilson's list of forbidden acts listed in the Neutrality Proclamation: what actions was Wilson concerned would pull the United States into war? What evidence does this source provide for why the United States hesitated to get involved in World War I?
  • As a neutral nation, why was it possible to "lawfully and without restriction … manufacture or sell within the U.S. arms and ammunition and other articles known as contraband of war" but yet not acceptable to "carry" armaments overseas? Did this align with American ideals?

Citation Information

"U.S. Neutrality Proclamation," Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier, 6 August 1914. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress