Why did the United States take so long to enter World War I?

Question

Why did the United States take so long to enter World War I?

Answer 1

Because it was Europe's war, so the American people were hesitant to join. The USA did aid the countries they supported though, they gave Britain and France supplies.

Answer 2

Ms Vader's got it - Better question to ask here is why we got involved in it at all!

Answer 3

Many of the people in the United States favored "Isolationism" for political, economic, and genetic reasons. Many citizens came from the nations that were now at war and there was a reluctance to take sides. It was generally a "stay at home and take care of your own" attitude.

Answer 4

We wanted to remain neutral and not get involved. However, after the germans sank a british ship with a bunch of Americans on it, we decided that that was enough, and it was time to get involved.

Answer 5

It's just like asking why the U.S. took so long to enter WWII. It's mostly because of the fact that many Americans saw WWI as a "European" war (just like WWII) that had nothing do with them, so they stayed neutral. It was only in till the Zimmerman telegram  and a few other things, that the U.S. decided to finally enter WWI 3 years after it started.

Answer 6

cuz we wanted to stay neutral and not get food cut off from us or somethin like that

Answer 7

They were having breakfast. M.

Answer 8

At the beginning of 1917, the United States were still neutral. The only thing they were willing to do was lend weapons and money (to the allies). Food and other necessities were shipped across the Atlantic to Britain. However, the Germans said that they had the right to destroy ships heading towards their enemies. It supposedly did not matter that the USA wasn’t participating in the war.

A famous sinking was that of the Lucitania. Germany then realized how bad it would be if America joined the war and brought their u-boats back.

However, in 1917, they were desperate and decided to destroy any ship headed towards Britain. The aim was to starve Britain into surrender. At the same time, a top secret telegram from Germany to Mexico was intercepted.

The Telegram said that Mexico should declare war on the US. Mexico would be rewarded with three states – Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

America joined the war in April 1917 on the Allies' side. The USA stated that they were fighting for democracy –the right of people to choose their own government.

President Wilson wanted it to be the war to end all wars and wrote some guidelines – the 14 points.

Answer 9

They waited until Europe was war weary and would not oppose its entry, plus they timed it before the Germans had consolidated their victories. That way the US could dominate the battlefield with no other contenders while putting their allies in hock and placing Germany under severe post-war sanctions.

Answer 10

No idea. They are trying to make up by starting World War 3 early though.

Answer 11

The US was entering a period of isolationism in the early part of the 20th century and did not wish to concern itself with European affairs. Two events occurred that brought the us into the war, one was the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and the 2nd was the Zimmerman telegram. The US entered WWl in April of 1917