Isolationism in Post-World War I America - 1451 Words

In George Washingtons farewell speech he warned the American people to beware the insidious wiles of foreign influence. Though it was never put into law, this statement has played a major role in the American foreign policy of isolationism. American isolationist sentiment stems from the fact that America is geographically isolated from the rest of the world. American isolationist sentiment was at its peak in the years following World War I. In the war of 1914-1918 that had set the stage on which Hitler now strutted, no people had been more reluctant combatants, and few more disappointed with the result, than the Americans(Kennedy, 385). After losing more than fifty thousand young troops in a war that was viewed to be unnecessary, the†¦show more content†¦As Franklin Roosevelt began to have more internationalist views, Americans, under no circumstances, wanted to be drawn into another foreign war. The result was a relative stand still in American foreign policy. Congress pa cified isolationists by passing the Neutrality Act of 1935, which was designed to isolate America from the growing Nazi monster. First, it created an embargo on the sale of arms to all belligerent nations and second it stated that American citizens that traveled on belligerent ships were doing so at their own risk. The Act was basically an attempt to prevent the World War I nightmare from happening again. Roosevelt was required to sign the bill though he would have rather it had different provisions regarding the embargo of arms to belligerent nations. He was in favor of creating selective embargoes on certain countries instead of to all belligerent nations but realized that it could cause America to become active in the war. Roosevelt said that he was walking a tight rope, and that he realize[d] the seriousness of [American foreign policy] from an international as well as a domestic point of view. Benito Mussolinis invasion of Ethiopia posed a crisis for Roosevelt. By aiding the League of Nations, Roosevelt thought that Mussolini could be stopped. This would severely jeopardize American neutrality and it was frowned upon by a majority of Americans. Instead, under the Neutrality Act of 1935,Show MoreRelatedU.s. Foreign Policy History2175 Words   |  9 PagesAmerican’s perceive their role in the world. According to Brzezinski, â€Å"America’s relationship with the world has been characterized by cycles of ‘extroversion’ and ‘introversion’,† or involvement and isolationism. Throughout the nation’s history, Americans have witnessed and influenced many shifts or turns in this cycle, caused, exacerbated or illuminated by several critical events. Through this lens, the Spanish-American War, Pearl Harbor, the Vietnam War and 9/11 are critical points that addedRead MoreHow Isolationism Is A Part Of American Policy1602 Words   |  7 PagesIsolationism was a part of American policy beginning when George Washington made his Farewell Address in 1796 and lasting to the end of World War II. Factors like thousands of miles of sea between the US and Europe, fear of entangling alliances and a desire to remain autonomous contributed to the overall isolationist sentiment of many Americans. In addition, nativist sentiment has been present throughout American history as a product of isolationism and, among other factors, wage depression and fearRead MoreIsolationism And The Great Depression And World War II1172 Words   |  5 Pagesbelieved to have followed a foreign policy of isolationism that led to the Great Depression and World War II. 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People are convincing each other that twenties were the Golden Age or 1990’s were the most influencing but there is no clear and nationwide agreement in that case. In fact, according to different authors and publishers there was no year that actually resolved all problems in the United States. From some people’s point of view, however, it is not a matter of which decade end all problemsRead MoreEssay The Roles of Congress In World Wars I and II1198 Words   |  5 Pagesof America faces some of its most trying moments during war time. There are several factors to take into account when the threat of war looms. At the time of World War I, the United States was in a period of isolationism, where foreign affairs were of little importance to the country. When war broke out overseas, America was determined to maintain neutrality. While doing so however, it was also imperative to prepare for war, should the U.S be pulled in somehow. When it was forced to go t o war, aRead MoreShould The United States Let The World Take Care Of Itself?2549 Words   |  11 Pagesthe United States let the world take care of itself? There is much debate over American foreign policy as to whether or not the United States should return to the isolationism of pre 1940s. Many believe the United States intervenes too often and in turn other nations have issues with us. The United States started out as isolationists when the country was first born, but has slowly moved to become the world s police and interventionism has taken over. Should we be the world s police and how wouldRead MoreUs Foreign Policy2444 Words   |  10 Pagesand norms of American foreign policy can be traced over a number of centuries. Starting in 1776, foreign policy in the United States (US) has gone through a rollercoaster of competing strategies and schools of thought. Two competing strategies of Isolationism and Internationalism have taken their turns headlining the foreign policy princ iples of various American governments. Importantly, the reasons for the to and fro movement between these two extremes can not be linked to a single source but to aRead MoreUs Foreign Policy2433 Words   |  10 Pagesand norms of American foreign policy can be traced over a number of centuries. Starting in 1776, foreign policy in the United States (US) has gone through a rollercoaster of competing strategies and schools of thought. Two competing strategies of Isolationism and Internationalism have taken their turns headlining the foreign policy principles of various American governments. Importantly, the reasons for the to and fro movement between these two extremes can not be linked to a single source but to a