What crystallized American opinion at t beginning of World war 1?

At the beginning of World War I, American public opinion was largely characterized by isolationism and neutrality, influenced by a desire to avoid entanglement in European conflicts. Many Americans were sympathetic to the plight of the Allies, particularly Britain and France, due to cultural ties and shared democratic values. However, concerns over German aggression, particularly after incidents like the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, began to shift sentiments toward supporting intervention. This evolving perspective ultimately crystallized around the idea that American involvement was necessary to safeguard democracy and protect U.S. interests.