How Did Isolationist Sentiment Influence US Foreign Policy Between 1914 And 1941?

The second half of the 20th Century saw America transit from their traditional roots of international isolationism to a superpower interventionist. The values that the American forefathers had laid down as their vision for the future of the nation were abandoned, becoming increasingly more involved in foreign affairs. The World Wars played a substantial role in America's conversion and significantly changed American views both politically and economically. Both Woodrow Wilson and F.D Roosevelt were dragged into wars they did not want to be a part of.

During the 1920s, the United States was believed to have followed a foreign policy of isolationism that led to the Great Depression and World War II. However, this is a historical misconception known as the myth of isolationism because the U.S. followed a foreign policy in the 1920s called independent internationalism, which was a new idea to promote economic diplomacy through peaceful relations and non-military intervention. In Jeremi Suri’s Opt-Ed article, Trump is repeating the isolationism that led to the Great Depression and WWII, he argues that Donald Trump is following similar foreign policies of isolationism such as the increase on tariffs, restriction on immigration, and the dismembering of alliances, that mirror what occurred in

Immediately prior to the turn of the twentieth century the United States began to engage in a more assertive foreign policy. There have been numerous speculations of why that the United States decided to engage in a more aggressive foreign policy, but the main factors are clear. The United States required a stronger foreign policy because of the economic, strategic, and political interests that the United States held in foreign markets. Theses interests were necessary in order to continue the strong economic growth the United States had been experiencing immediately prior to the turn of the century.

American life was at an all time high during the Roaring Twenties, Americans were enjoying the prosperity of the United States so why would they want to get involved in European conflicts? The United States under the Hoover administration held a very isolated stance, the country’s economy was booming and the people were relishing in the modern society. When the Great Depression hit Americans continued to hold an isolationist stance as they focused on the deteriorating situation going on at home. Throughout this time period of 1920 to 1941, America dealt with major events, such as the end of World War I to the Roaring Twenties turning into the Great Depression in 1929, and then the beginning of World War II, along with the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. As these events took place Franklin Roosevelt had to make decisions as a way to try to maintain American democracy, one of his responses was the changes in the foreign policy of the United States. In the time period of 1920 to 1941, the United States changed its foreign policy by becoming involved with global affairs instead of avoiding them.

FDR 's discourse after Pearl Harbor is a standout amongst the most conspicuous memorable speeches in American history. FDR’s heartfelt speech is what helped urge America to join World War II and set America 's status as the chief world superpower for the following half-century. Given the day after the Japanese besieging of Pearl Harbor, the target of this discourse was to urge Congress to pronounce war on Japan and it was additionally broadcast nationwide and filled the optional need of asking the American individuals to take up the battle against Japan. FDR 's utilization of both pathetical and consistent evidences was to a great degree compelling in impelling America to

Ever since George Washington declared that the United States would remain neutral in any emerging European conflicts, the country has attempted to follow this policy as long as possible. This does not exclude when President Franklin Roosevelt invoked the Neutrality Acts that Congress had passed, in hopes of keeping the United States from entering World War II (From Neutrality to War). However, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the country had no choice but to declare war on Japan, and enter World War II. Right away, the United States joined the Allies, which were made up of Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, which was lead by Joseph Stalin (Sullivan, 6). Even though the Allies were in an agreement to work together

Hoping to remain a neutral nation and be in a state of isolationism was a dream that would be ended very soon for America. With Japan, and it 's a leader Admiral Yamamoto acting as an aggressor nation the US wanted to indirectly impact Japan, and so on oil embargo was passed, stopping all oil and steel trading with Japan. This left the island nation of Japan having to seek new resources in South East Asia, and made the Japanese realize that they could not inflict any relation on America unless it 's naval fleet was gone. As a result of this realization, Admiral Yamamoto made a plan to attack Americas naval fleet in Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941 Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor and destroyed naval vessels and pulling America into the war and as stated by the Japanese “awaken a sleeping giant.”

American foreign policy is a virtual jumble of ideologies, among which stands the concept of isolationism, an avoidance of global relations. From 1913 to 1937, the United States struggled with the question of to be or not to be, and presidents ranged from complete global disengagement to war declarations. However, although they all wrestled with the idea isolationism, not all presidents acted equally. Woodrow Wilson’s domestic success and idealistic foreign failure is a testament to the inequality, whilst Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in contrast, gradually emerged from the theory of isolationism as a worldwide political butterfly. The two chiefs in the center, Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, presided over an isolated, stagnant period

According to Cox and Stokes (2012), early on, Americans maintained a position of isolationism largely due to the separation of powers at the time between the United States (U.S.) and Europe (p. 23). Basically, since the U.S. was developing itself as a powerful and independent state, it was not yet powerful enough to have influence over other states. During that period of time where the U.S. was relatively weak, its policies and agendas focused primarily on activities within the state itself, and on as little involvement as possible from outside states and organizations. Furthermore, in fear of being involved in war and conflict due to events that took place early in American history, had also motivated the U.S. to pursue an isolationist-based

The devastations at Pearl Harbor led to the United States to quickly enter the war. Finally, when they put neutrality aside, they were more determined to win the war. To begin with, before pearl Harbor, the U.S. enforced the Neutrality acts to ensure we wouldn’t suffer in another war like World War I (Office of the Historian, Neutrality acts). The Office of the Historian says,”By the mid-1930s, events in Europe and Asia

Firstly, the bombing of Pearl Harbor was illustrated as the main reason as to why America turned on their isolationistic view of World War II. Before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, America had an isolationistic approach to World War II. America believed that they had won the war for England, France and Italy, but were not given back the loans that were used for reparations. This resulted in the passing of the neutrality act by the US congress August 31, 1935. The neutrality act was a ban of financial loans to countries engaging in war, arms embargo (no selling weapons), and a special board was put into place to prevent American ammunition makers from selling goods and only the American president can embargo

Public opinion regarding participation in further international conflict in World War II was also affected by history. Advocates of isolationism referenced George Washington’s precedent of isolationist roots. As one of the most admired figures in American history, Washington’s words had powerful effects on influencing public opinion towards non-interventionism. The recent history of World War I was also on the minds of the American people in the lead up to World War II. As Americans saw the massive amounts of deaths and destruction, they became weary of war. Morale was destroyed during the war and isolationism was protection from future loss and injury.

After the World War II began in 1939 and prior to the attack on U.S. soil, the public’s opinion regarding America intervening on the war was divided. However within a matter of hours after the attack, American attitudes about the war changed and the country’s opinion united strongly in favor of war [6]. “Remember Pearl Harbor!” became the watchwords of the war and sparked indignation and retaliation among U.S. citizens [5].

In the late 1930’s a major war involving most of Europe would tip the scales of history forever. As Europe engulfed in flames the United States saw no reason nor benefit in engaging in WWII themselves. But as strong power hungry countries like Germany and Japan gained the upper hand in this fearsome war against the U.S.’s allies President Franklin D. Roosevelt war urged to do something about it. Under the Lend-Lease Act America would “maintain” their isolationism but lend its allies weapons and supplies without actually entering the war. Seeing this as an act of helping the enemy Germany engaged into unrestricted warfare and sank U.S. supply ships. Not only that, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and killed many Americans and an naval base.

World War II was the worst war that has ever taken place. The Axis powers were seizing lands all over the globe, committing atrocities that I cannot possibly imagine. Even though all of this was happening, the United States of America stayed neutral for the beginning of the war. That is, until the tragedy of Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, 1941. The Empire of Japan attacked the former U.S. territory, killing two-thousand four-hundred and three people. The day after, president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech outlining what had happened. This speech would go down as one of the most important speeches in American history, and would propel the nation into the worst war the world had ever seen.