Geographic Isolation: The United States was geographically separated from Europe by the Atlantic Ocean, which provided a sense of security and distance from the conflicts in Europe.
Historical Precedent: The US had a long-standing tradition of isolationism, dating back to George Washington's farewell address in 1796, where he advised the country to avoid permanent alliances and entangling foreign commitments.
Neutrality Acts: The US government had passed a series of Neutrality Acts in the 1930s, which aimed to prevent the country from being drawn into foreign conflicts. These acts placed restrictions on arms sales, loans, and travel for American citizens to belligerent nations.
Domestic Concerns: The US was focused on its own domestic issues, including the Great Depression, Prohibition, and women's suffrage. Many Americans believed that the country had enough problems to deal with without getting involved in foreign wars.
Avoidance of Entanglements: The US wanted to avoid the political and military entanglements that had drawn European countries into the war. Isolationists argued that the US should not take sides in European conflicts and that it should prioritize its own national interests and security.
Lack of Direct Threat: At the beginning of the war, the US did not perceive an immediate threat to its own security or territory from the conflict in Europe. The prevailing sentiment was that the war was a European affair, and the US could best serve its interests by staying out of it.
Public Opinion: Public opinion in the US was strongly in favor of remaining neutral and avoiding involvement in the war. Many Americans were opposed to the idea of sending troops overseas to fight in a foreign conflict.
It's important to note that US isolationism gradually eroded as the war progressed and events such as the sinking of the Lusitania, unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, and the Zimmermann Telegram led to growing support for intervention. However, at the beginning of the war, isolationism was the dominant sentiment in American foreign policy.