In "The Guns of August," Barbara W. Tuchman highlights how the United States' expanding trade with the Allies compensated for the decline in commerce with Germany, leading to a gradual acceptance of changes in national policy. The influx of goods from Allied nations overshadowed the initial principles that guided American trade decisions.

This shift illustrates a pragmatic approach as economic interests began to take precedence over strict adherence to national ideals. The acceptance of the British Order in Council marked a significant transformation in U.S. foreign policy, revealing the complexities of wartime economics.