why did the u.s. find it so diffcult to maintain its neutrality from 1914 to 1917?

Answer 1

The U.S.wanted to be able to trade with Europe but were unable to due to submarine attacks by Germany. Germany objected to the U.S. trading with England claiming they were giving them war supplies which would violate the U.S. neutrality pact. Turns out that this was true.

Wilson firmly believed in the neutrality of the sea lanes and felt that any ship should be free from molestation on the the open ocean. He was much opposed to the submarine warfare that Germany practiced with it's hunter/killer Uboats. When the Zimmerman note, a message from Germany to Mexico trying to incite them to attack the U.S., and the sinking of the Lusitania Wilson could no longer keep the U.S. out of the war.

Answer 2

1. As evidenced by the sinking of the Luisitania in 1915, the unlimited submarine warfare was taking some toll on our shipping and possibly armaments to our allies.
2. Despite being independent, the US had or has never lost its admiration for her mother country , Great Britain .
3. The propaganda against Germany was well out of proportion such as a picture of a German soldier bayoneting a baby and looking on it without a care in the world.
4. The suspicion we had with Mexico and Germany produced by the Zimmerman note.
5. Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare after a pause in the action.