"While numerous studies have examined Woodrow Wilson's neutrality policy prior to U.S. entry into World War I and how he eventually formulated his war goals after U.S. engagement, the historical literature has not focused on the actual merchant ship losses that created the final casus belli. In Sovereignty at Sea, Rodney Carlisle focuses on what the president knew and when he knew it concerning the loss of ten ships to German attacks between February 3 and April 4, 1917." "By looking at the specifics, Carlisle offers new explanations for the reasons that led the president, the cabinet, the public, and Congress to decide for war. The book provides deep insights into diplomacy, U-boat practices, and the German decision to wage unrestricted submarine warfare." "Sovereignty at Sea not only adds much to our understanding of maritime and diplomatic history during the First World War period but also speaks to contemporary concerns with issues surrounding the U.S. justification for war. By examining the actual precipitating events closely, Carlisle provides a completely new way of looking at the well-studied questions of American neutrality in the early years of World War I." --Book Jacket.
Series:
New perspectives on maritime history and nautical archaeology.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.