World War I World War I, the supposed "war to end all wars" was anything but that. Previously actively involved in foreign disputes, the United States reversed its role as mediator and refused to get involved in the international war until the last possible minute. In fact, Wilson's first response to the outbreak of the European war was to issue a declaration of U.S. neutrality and to call upon the American people to support this policy by not taking sides. However, American neutrality soon proved difficult, if not right out impossible. American problems for neutrality arose from the efforts of the powers at war to stop supplies from reaching