Answer:
President Woodrow Wilson initially opposed U.S. involvement in World War I for several reasons. Firstly, he believed in maintaining a policy of neutrality and non-intervention in European conflicts. Wilson aimed to keep the United States out of the war and focus on domestic issues and his progressive reform agenda.
Secondly, Wilson was concerned about the potential loss of American lives and resources in a distant and costly war. He believed that the United States should prioritize its own interests and avoid entangling alliances that could drag the country into a destructive conflict.
However, President Wilson's stance changed over time due to several factors. One significant factor was Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, which targeted American ships and resulted in the loss of American lives. This, along with the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against the United States, created a sense of threat and provoked public outrage.
Furthermore, Wilson's vision for a post-war world order based on his Fourteen Points, which included principles such as self-determination and collective security, required U.S. involvement to shape the peace negotiations. Wilson believed that the United States had a moral duty to promote democracy and ensure a just and lasting peace.
Ultimately, these factors led President Wilson to change his mind, and in April 1917, he asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The United States' entry into World War I played a significant role in tipping the balance in favor of the Allied Powers and ultimately shaping the outcome of the war and subsequent peace negotiations.