- Isolationist sentiment: The United States had a long tradition of isolationism, avoiding involvement in foreign conflicts. Many Americans believed that the war was a European affair and that it was not in the best interest of the country to get involved.
-Neutrality: At the beginning of the war, President Wilson declared the United States to be neutral, and many Americans supported this position. They believed that it was important for the country to remain impartial and avoid taking sides in the conflict.
-Pacifism: There was a strong pacifist movement in the United States, which opposed war on moral and religious grounds. Pacifists believed that war was never justified and that it was always better to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
-Lack of direct threat: At the start of the war, the United States was not directly threatened by any of the belligerents. Many Americans saw no reason to become involved in a conflict that seemed distant and unrelated to their own national interests.
-Immigration: The United States had a large immigrant population, and many immigrants were reluctant to support a war against their home countries. This was particularly true for German-Americans, who made up a significant portion of the population in many cities.