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Why was the USA determined to avoid WWI during the early years?
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The USA aimed to avoid entering WWI due to its long-standing policy of neutrality and isolationism, rooted in the Monroe Doctrine and reinforced by geographic separation. The country's diverse ethnic background, with significant populations of German and Austro-Hungarian descent, also influenced its stance. Economic interests in maintaining foreign trade further motivated non-involvement. However, unrestricted German submarine warfare, exemplified by the sinking of the Lusitania, eventually compelled the USA to join the war.
The United States tried to stay out of World War I (1914–1918) for a number of reasons.
The first reason for not getting involved was the country's long-standing policy of neutrality and isolationism. From the country's inception, it had pledged not to interfere in European affairs or conflicts. This policy was a central part of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823.
Another reason to stay out of the war was the multi-ethnic background of the U.S. Although America shared a common language and history with Britain, millions of Americans were of German descent. Many other Americans traced their roots to Austria-Hungary or France.
A third reason to stay out of the war was America's desire to conduct foreign trade. Trade had always been an integral part of the economy, and an embargo on one side or the other would have been inimical to this commerce.
Ultimately, America's inability to continue this...
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trade led to its involvement in the war. Britain's navy prevented almost all trade with Germany. Germany retaliated against British naval supremacy by using submarines. In May 1915, a German sub sank theLusitania, killing 128 Americans. Germany restricted its use of submarines for two years. By 1917, however, a desperate Germany began unrestricted submarine warfare, so America finally entered the war on Britain's side.
The United States' geographic separation from the European and Asian continents historically made it easy for presidents to advocate a policy of non-intervention in the conflicts of other nations. President Wilson was following the example of presidents going back to Washington and Jefferson, who cautioned against becoming involved in the affairs of other countries. In his Farewell Address, President Washington counseled, "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world."
President Wilson openly worked to attempt to lead in negotiating a peaceful settlement between warring European nations while keeping the United States out of the conflict. When a German U-boat sank the British passenger ship Lusitania, drowning 128 Americans among the passengers, President Wilson demanded that the Germans stop attacking passenger ships but continued to resist calls for the United States to become directly involved in the fighting.