How much did U.S. trade with the Allies increase from 1914-1916?

U.S. trade with the Allies increased significantly from 1914-1916. Despite President Wilson’s attempt to keep us neutral, we found ourselves trading more with Great Britain, France, and Italy than we did Germany. We had more similarities with the Allies than we did with the Central Powers. For example, our governmental system and our judicial system had much in common with Great Britain’s governmental system and judicial system. The British blockade also helped to greatly restrict our trade with Germany. Our trade with the Allied countries more than tripled during this time period.

The Germans saw this huge increase in our trade with the Allies. This helped to encourage the Germans to start using the submarine to attack our ships. Even though this was a violation of our rights as a neutral nation, the Germans believed such a huge increase in American trade with Germany’s enemies was anything but neutral. It was this attack on American shipping that played a big role in the United States entering World War I on the side of the Allies.

Our trade with the Allies increased dramatically between 1914 and 1916.