Final answer:
The United States was initially neutral and focused on isolationism, and was poorly prepared militarily and industrially when it entered World War I due to a small army and a domestically-focused administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States entered World War I in a state that can be best described as unprepared, both militarily and industrially. On the eve of the conflict, the nation under President Woodrow Wilson was initially neutral and focused on isolationism, resisting entanglement in international military conflicts. Despite some economic ties to the Allies through trade and loans, it was not actively supporting them in combat. The decision to enter the war was reluctantly made due to various provocations, including the sinking of American ships and the Zimmermann Telegram. The United States had a small volunteer army and a population with divided loyalties due to significant Irish and German American communities. Moreover, President Wilson's administration had been more concerned with domestic policy and was not geared for foreign entanglements, particularly in Europe. As a result, at the point of entry, the United States was poorly prepared for a global war.