Why did Wilson claim neutrality before world war 1?

President Woodrow Wilson claimed neutrality before World War I to maintain peace and protect American interests. He believed that the United States should avoid entanglement in European conflicts and focus on its own domestic issues. Wilson also sought to uphold the principle of self-determination and promote diplomacy over military engagement, arguing that neutrality would allow the U.S. to act as a mediator in the conflict. This stance reflected a broader isolationist sentiment prevalent in American society at the time.