Question

Why did the United States try to stay out of World War I at first?

Answer 1

Isolationism. Wanted to build their economy rather than burden it by spending money on war materials e.g, weaponry.

Answer 2

Put simply the United States did not concern itself with events and alliances in Europe and thus stayed out of the war. Wilson was firmly opposed to war, and believed that the key aim was to ensure peace, not only for the United States but across the world.