Throughout the history of the United States, numerous foreign policies were established that caused controversy among the American people. Following America's development as an independent nation, policies were implemented to gain opportunities that would affect the United States in a positive light. America's neutrality during World War I caused conflict as Americans debated whether to maintain isolationism or participate in the war due to different circumstances. The Louisiana Purchase sparked controversy among the people as America was taking the first step towards becoming a prosperous nation. America's neutrality in World War I (1914-1917) and the Louisiana Purchase (1803) created controversies throughout the American people and impacted the United States and foreign regions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay America's neutrality during World War I led to differentiated opinions among the American people. The hotly debated question within the nation was whether to stay out of foreign affairs or take part in the war for profits. The Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, as well as the Triple Entente comprising Great Britain, Russia, and France, were established, implying that these allied nations would promise to defend each other in times of war. In 1914, a Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand as Serbia wanted independence. As a result, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, unintentionally forcing the nations allied with each other to go to war through the alliance system. America, however, remained neutral as there was no reason for Americans to join the war. The war had not endangered people's lives or property. Public opinion regarding the war was strong but diverse. Many Americans wanted to stay out of the war and maintain peace. Socialists criticized the war as a dispute between Germany and England, pacifists believed the war was a source of vice, and many Americans did not want to endure the melancholy of losing or exposing their children to war. They believed that the war could not lead to a positive benefit for America. The United States would simply expose itself to unnecessary conflict among other nations. On the other hand, Americans who had ties abroad strongly supported the nations from which they emigrated. Furthermore, the United States had a strong economic connection with the Allies, causing a deeper split in public opinion. In 1917, Germany began a strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking all ships coming from or heading for France and Great Britain. The sinking of the Lusitania resulted in the deaths of 128 Americans, and ultimately, the Zimmerman telegram violated the Monroe Doctrine and disrupted the agreement made between Mexico and the United States. These events infuriated the American people, and in April 1917 the United States declared war on Germany. Because Germany had repeatedly harmed and endangered the people of the United States, many believed that it should no longer remain neutral. The neutrality of World War I impacted the United States by causing the Red Scare, imposing the Sedition and Espionage Act, and leading to the Schenck v. United States court case. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia invited workers around the world to revolt, leading to the Red Scare. The Red Scare developed Americans' fear of communism, which.