British intelligence and American neutrality during the First World War
This PhD examines the role of British intelligence in Anglo-American relations during the period of American neutrality in the First \Vorld \Var. Unbeknownst to the Americans, British intelligence began to intercept and decrypt virtually all American diplomatic telegrams between Washington and U.S. diplomatic outposts throughout Europe. Although several studies of Anglo-American relations in this period exist, none consider British intelligence's role. Providing an analysis of the relevant cod.es and cryptographical developments during the war, the thesis traces British intelligence's progress in deciphering these various diplomatic codes and offers an analysis of the distribution and use of this intelligence material. Through an exploration of this intelligence aspect, this thesis challenges existing interpretations of British and American policy in this period. A crucial conflict at the heart of British policy-one missed by previous historians-existed over the importance of the United States. Presaging America's international role later in the twentieth centu1y, many of Britain's leaders came to seriously doubt that, without the United States, the war remained winnable at all. Yet these officials contended
Larsen, Daniel Richard
Neutrality--United States--History--20th century ; Intelligence service--Great Britain--History--20th century ; World War ; 1914-1918--Great Britain ; World War ; 1914-1918--United States ; World War ; 1914-1918--Diplomatic history ; Great Britain--Foreign relations--United States ; United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain
British intelligence and American neutrality during the First World War. This PhD examines the role of British intelligence in Anglo-American relations during the period of American neutrality in the First \Vorld \Var. Unbeknownst to the Americans, British intelligence began to intercept and decrypt virtually all American diplomatic telegrams between Washington and U.S. diplomatic outposts throughout Europe. Although several studies of Anglo-American relations in this period exist, none consider British intelligence's role. Providing an analysis of the relevant cod.es and cryptographical developments during the war, the thesis traces British intelligence's progress in deciphering these various diplomatic codes and offers an analysis of the distribution and use of this intelligence material. Through an exploration of this intelligence aspect, this thesis challenges existing interpretations of British and American policy in this period. A crucial conflict at the heart of British policy-one missed by previous historians-existed over the importance of the United States. Presaging America's international role later in the twentieth centu1y, many of Britain's leaders came to seriously doubt that, without the United States, the war remained winnable at all. Yet these officials contended
british_intelligence american neutrality first_world_war phd examine_role british_intelligence anglo_american_relation period american neutrality first americans british_intelligence begin virtually american diplomatic washington diplomatic outpost throughout_europe although several study anglo_american_relation period exist none consider british_intelligence role providing analysis relevant code development war trace british_intelligence progress decipher various diplomatic code offer analysis distribution use intelligence material exploration intelligence aspect challenge_exist interpretation british_american policy period crucial conflict heart british_policy miss previous historians importance united_states america international role later twentieth many britain leader come seriously doubt without united_states war remain all yet official contend