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During World War I (1914–1918), Brazil initially adopted a neutral position in accordance with the Hague Convention as an attempt to maintain markets for its export products, mainly coffee, latex, and industrially manufactured items.
However, following the repeated sinking of Brazilian merchant ships by German submarines, President Venceslau Brás declared war against the Central Powers in 1917. Brazil then became the only country in Latin America to be directly involved in the war. Brazil's major contribution was the Brazilian Navy's patrol of areas in the Atlantic Ocean.