Why were the fashions of pre revolutionary aristocrats so elaborate?

Before the American Revolution, and even after it, one thing that characterized the people of high society, from others, was their style of dressing, especially in women. The admired way was, the European way. As such, it was possible to see, in pre-Revolutionary America, men and women that could have been placed in the streets of London, or Paris, and not know the difference, except for their accent when they spoke.

The reason for this being the case was that to Americans, the ideal was to be seen as European, as this was perceived to be the peak of good breeding, and social status. Another issue was that colonists of high rank wanted to show that rank, and the more elaborate and outstanding their outfits, the better they would be seen in society.

hawaii was the final state

when world war i broke out across europe in 1914, president woodrow wilson proclaimed the united states would remain neutral, and many americans supported this policy of nonintervention. however, public opinion about neutrality started to change after the sinking of the british ocean liner lusitania by a german u-boat in 1915; almost 2,000 people perished, including 128 americans. along with news of the zimmerman telegram threatening an alliance between germany and mexico, wilson asked congress for a declaration of war against germany. the u.s. officially entered the conflict on april 6, 1917.