Shadow Master
Banned
Inspired by this thread:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=249143
Like the title says, what would happen to world trade if the USA had truely been neutral in WWI right from the start.
The UK announced their blockade of Germany:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockade_of_Germany
And then Germany announced their blockade of the UK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat_Campaign_(World_War_I)
And now the USA sees that her trade with Europe is going down the drain no matter what.
So, for a PoD, the USA does something different and tries equal trade with all parties.
I am open for suggestions as to what kind of alternative trade the USA might propose and conduct, keeping in mind that in this thread the USA is not going to join the allies (or the CP) but will remain true neutral.
Along these lines I was thinking that what they start off with will likely evolve to something else as the war stretches and the situation becomes worse and worse. My suggestions would be to start off with an insisting that food will be allowed to be shipped to all combatants in american hulls, and in exchange for this, every nation will be allowed to trade for whatever else they want. Everything else but foodstuffs will be carried in the combatants own ships, and will be safe only until they exit american waters. Later, as the civilian population starts to suffer, perhaps the US insists that medicines, surgical equipment, supplies, and personnel are to be allowed in, and eventually refugees and disabled soldiers can be hauled off to the USA for the duration of hostilities.
My thinking is that this kind of trade might have some interesting effects on the war, and that is the main reason I am asking for this discussion.
For instance, what if the USA objects to the UK blockade and gets agreement that food can pass? And if not, what if the US severs all trade to Europe for the duration? This would mean that either the USA is free to trade foodstuffs with all, or no trade will be conducted (reguardless of where or in whose ships) with any combatant nation, for the duration.
Another thing, with URSW (assuming this still takes place), the US ships carrying foodstuffs will be required to travel with the stars and stripes painted prominently & brightly lit at all times, while sailing to and from European ports.
My questions are, when would these trade restrictions most likely start (right off, after a few months? A year?), and what would these ALT trade laws likely be?
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=249143
Like the title says, what would happen to world trade if the USA had truely been neutral in WWI right from the start.
The UK announced their blockade of Germany:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockade_of_Germany
And then Germany announced their blockade of the UK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat_Campaign_(World_War_I)
And now the USA sees that her trade with Europe is going down the drain no matter what.
So, for a PoD, the USA does something different and tries equal trade with all parties.
I am open for suggestions as to what kind of alternative trade the USA might propose and conduct, keeping in mind that in this thread the USA is not going to join the allies (or the CP) but will remain true neutral.
Along these lines I was thinking that what they start off with will likely evolve to something else as the war stretches and the situation becomes worse and worse. My suggestions would be to start off with an insisting that food will be allowed to be shipped to all combatants in american hulls, and in exchange for this, every nation will be allowed to trade for whatever else they want. Everything else but foodstuffs will be carried in the combatants own ships, and will be safe only until they exit american waters. Later, as the civilian population starts to suffer, perhaps the US insists that medicines, surgical equipment, supplies, and personnel are to be allowed in, and eventually refugees and disabled soldiers can be hauled off to the USA for the duration of hostilities.
My thinking is that this kind of trade might have some interesting effects on the war, and that is the main reason I am asking for this discussion.
For instance, what if the USA objects to the UK blockade and gets agreement that food can pass? And if not, what if the US severs all trade to Europe for the duration? This would mean that either the USA is free to trade foodstuffs with all, or no trade will be conducted (reguardless of where or in whose ships) with any combatant nation, for the duration.
Another thing, with URSW (assuming this still takes place), the US ships carrying foodstuffs will be required to travel with the stars and stripes painted prominently & brightly lit at all times, while sailing to and from European ports.
My questions are, when would these trade restrictions most likely start (right off, after a few months? A year?), and what would these ALT trade laws likely be?