During the Gilded Age, 1876-1900, Congress was known for being rowdy and inefficient. It was not unusual to find that a quorum could not be achieved because too many members were drunk or otherwise preoccupied with extra-governmental affairs. The halls of Congress were filled with tobacco smoke, and spittoons were everywhere. One disgusted observer noted that not only did the members chew and spit incessantly, but their aim was bad. The atmosphere on the floor was described as an “infernal din.” The Senate, whose seats were often auctioned off to the highest bidder, was known as a “rich man's club,” where political favors were traded like horses, and the needs of the people in the working classes lay beyond the vision of those exalted legislators. The Senate dominated the federal government during the Gilded Age. Causing the world to react as if America wasn't under good control.
In other words, the world reacted as America wasn't mature.
Sorry but, Iraq was never involved in World War 1. Don’t know if you mean the Iran-Iraq war...but Iraq was never in WW1.
Conservatives want smaller government and less government spending(In general). Liberals like a bigger government and more government spending to put it simply