Final answer:
The United States initially stayed neutral in World War I due to President Wilson's belief that it was not in the country's interests, the potential division of the population, concerns about the volunteer army, the anti-British sentiment among Irish-Americans, and the presence of a significant German population in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States initially stayed neutral in World War I for a variety of reasons. President Woodrow Wilson wanted to keep the U.S. out of the conflict because he believed it had little to do with the country's interests. The U.S. also had a large population of immigrants who still had ties to their European homelands, and taking sides could potentially divide the population. Additionally, there were concerns about the country's small volunteer army, the anti-British sentiment among Irish-Americans, and the significant German population in the U.S. who might oppose joining the Allies.