You say that, Von Baur, but it did tip American opinion and support to the Entente side, and 2 years is not long for preparation for a distant conflict.
Especially given the fact that we had to build our forces from what was basically a frontier garrison army, mobilize industry to equip & clothe them, train them, and transport them overseas. 2 years seems like a short time for all that, at that time.
Neither of which is the point. Wilson was
reelected more than a year
after the Lusitania went down largely on a platform of maintaining neutrality. His most-remembered campaign slogan was "He kept US out of war". Does that sound like a country that was gearing up for heading "Over There"?
While you are correct, BD-123, that there was much less open support for Germany after the sinking, there was still no clamoring to enter the fray either. The
real impetus for American involvement was the Zimmerman Telegram, which was seen as a direct threat. Although the US government was told about it in mid-February of 1917 many thought it might be a ploy to get America in on the side of the Entante, since the British were the ones who told Washington about it. Then, in an act of incredible honesty and stupidity, Zimmerman acknowledged its authenticity on March 29. President Wilson asked congress for a Declaration of War on April 2 and it was formally declared on April 6.
Your honor, I rest my case.
*edit*
To be completely fair, the buildup and training you both mentioned is also true. But it took place between April 1917 and May 1918. Although a few thousand US troops were on the front lines in June 1917 and saw limited action in October of that year, the first serious contribution didn't come until the summer of 1918.
