President Woodrow Wilson advanced the foreign policy of "neutrality" as a means of keeping the United States out of World War I for as long as possible. This policy was based on the principles of non-involvement and impartiality, intending to avoid entanglement in European conflicts. Wilson emphasized diplomacy and moral reasoning in international relations, advocating for a stance that prioritized peacekeeping and negotiation over military engagement.
Initially, Wilson and his administration tried to maintain a neutral position by promoting trade with both the Allied and Central Powers while calling for respect for international law. Wilson's approach included the concept of "freedom of the seas," which sought to maintain neutral rights at sea, despite the challenges posed by unrestricted submarine warfare, particularly by Germany.
As the war progressed and German actions, such as the sinking of civilian ships, violated neutral rights and directly threatened American lives and interests, Wilson's stance shifted. Ultimately, in April 1917, after considerable pressure and events that drew the U.S. into the conflict, he called for a declaration of war against Germany, framing it as a fight to make the world "safe for democracy."