The United States had no power to be involved in the affairs of European Government. Not until after World War 1 did the United States gain any real notoriety in world politics. The U.S. was certainly not considered a superpower even until WWII. The Industrial might of the U.S. was unleashed during and after the war to the surprise of the Axis Powers in Europe as well as to our Allies. Before the 20th century the long standing powers of Europe who had been around for centuries thought little of the Americas except as colonial areas full of Natural Resources for their exploitation.