Since the 1870s, most of the major countries in Europe had been gearing for war with each other. The independent German kingdoms united in the 1870s and had quickly become the largest power on the continent. France meanwhile was arming heavily in case its centuries-old rival Germany chose to attack. Russia also feared the growing German threat and sought to ally itself with Great Britain, France, and even Germany itself for protection..Great Britain, France, and Russia fought together as the Entente powers.
Although most Americans felt more inclined to side with England and the Entente Allies, very few wanted the United States to enter the Great War. The U.S. had a strong way of keeping away from European political things, and had no desire to alter that tradition. Not only were the American people united in this traditon, but Congress and the President as well. In a public speaking, Wilson announced that the United States "must be neutral in fact as well as in name" and "impartial in thought as well as in action."
America and its merchants initially traded goods such as food, clothing, medicines, equipment, and even arms to both sides in the war. American ports were open to all powers so long as they were used for non-military purposes. It is true that both powers often seized American merchant ships, but this provided few serious problems since both sides paid for the cargo they seized.
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