Why did many Americans desire to remain neutral in the conflicts of Europe and East Asia as World
War II began?

They didn't want any more war and wars cost a lot of money.

Explanation: When WWII started it was only in Europe and Asia. Roughly a year into the War the Americans were neutral and supplying materials to both sides of the war. When the Japenese bombed Pearl Harbor, the US got mad and had not other hoice, but enter into the war

1. international: struggle for hegemony and empire outstrips the fiscal resources of the state

2. political conflict: conflict between the monarchy and the nobility over the “reform” of the tax system led to paralysis and bankruptcy.

3. the enlightenment: impulse for reform intensifies political conflicts; reinforces traditional aristocratic constitutionalism, one variant of which was laid out in montequieu’s spirit of the laws; introduces new notions of good government, the most radical being popular sovereignty, as in rousseau’s social contract [1762]; the attack on the regime and privileged class by the literary underground of “grub street; ” the broadening influence of public opinion.

4. social antagonisms between two rising groups: the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie

5. ineffective ruler: louis xvi

6. economic hardship, especially the agrarian crisis of 1788-89 generates popular discontent and disorders caused by food shortages.