Why did the United States not join the Allies in World War I?

At the outbreak of World War I, the United States chose to remain neutral and did not immediately join the Allies. Several reasons explain this decision:

1. Tradition of Neutrality: Neutrality has been a traditional policy throughout American history. Ever since President Washington issued the 1793 Declaration of Neutrality, the U.S. government has tried to stay out of European wars and conflicts. This tradition of neutrality is rooted in America's geographic location and political beliefs away from Europe.

2. Public Opinion: At the outbreak of the war, the American public was not universally in favor of going to war. Many Americans remembered the bitter lessons of the American Civil War and were wary of getting involved in a war in Europe. This led to a widespread anti-war sentiment, with many believing that remaining neutral was the best option.

3. Economic Factors: In the initial stages of the war, the economy of the United States was in good shape. The economies of the continental European countries were severely damaged by the war, while the United States benefited from its neutrality in the early stages of the war. The manufacturing and exporting industries of the United States flourished and earned a lot of the profits needed for the war.

4. Nature and Objectives: In the early days, the war was fought mainly between the powers of the European continent. The objectives of the war at that time were not directly linked to the core interests of the United States. The U.S. government believed that it was not necessary to enter the war immediately and that a peaceful resolution of the dispute could be achieved through diplomatic efforts.

Over time, however, a series of events occurred that eventually prompted the United States to formally enter the war in 1917. The most important of these factors were Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare and provocations against the United States, as well as the threat of Mexican military support to Germany. These events led to a shift in U.S. public opinion that ultimately drove the U.S. government's decision to enter the war in order to safeguard its own national interests and the global order.