Final answer:
Yes, President Woodrow Wilson was aware of the public's reluctance to enter World War I and wanted to maintain neutrality, mostly because the U.S. had a significant immigrant population, potentially leading to a divided national opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Did Woodrow Wilson know that the people did not want to get involved in a war? The answer is yes. President Woodrow Wilson was aware of the public's reluctance to enter World War I. Wilson, a pacifist by nature, was committed to keeping the United States neutral, partly because the conflict was seen as a European issue not directly concerning the United States.
Moreover, the U.S. was a nation with a significant immigrant population who still had strong ties to their countries of origin, contributing to Wilson's concern about a divided populace if the U.S. were to choose a side in the conflict. Wilson's reelection campaign slogan, "He kept us out of war," underscores his understanding of the American public's sentiment. Despite this, a combination of global events and diplomatic crises would eventually lead to the U.S. joining the war in 1917.