The primary reason the United States did not immediately get involved in World War I (the Great War) is that there was a prevailing belief among many Americans that there were few direct benefits to joining the conflict. Many U.S. citizens favored a policy of neutrality and were hesitant to become entangled in European wars, which they saw as complex and distant from American interests.
Additionally, the U.S. had significant internal divisions regarding involvement in the war, with some groups and individuals advocating for intervention while others were strongly against it. The widespread sentiment was influenced by the experiences of recent conflicts, including the Spanish-American War, and a desire to avoid unnecessary foreign entanglements.
While concerns over resources and military preparedness existed, the sentiment of lacking direct benefits largely overshadowed these factors in the initial choice to remain neutral.