Can't blame them for being scared of the big dogs. They are happy to dish it out to a smaller nation, less so when it happens to them. In the context of the game, they are fearful of another New Orleans and running off to hide inside GB again
Nations have allies, part of the appeal of the game is the politics and diplomacy. Wanting to declare war but not wanting to join the wrong side. Wanting to hit somebodies friend, without any retaliation
Time to get off the fence