Isolationists: The Aftermath Of World War I

Post-World War I was a time for reevaluation: of alliances, of war tactics, and of what it meant to be a part of humanity. The so-called Great War left people around the world feeling exhausted, disgusted1, and yet stubborn in the desire for just compensation for their losses2. The United States found itself in a peculiar position born of Wilsonian neutrality ideals and immense war debts from the Allies; foreign policy decisions were entrenched in an internal battle between isolationists and internationalists3. While the 1920s are often said to have been dominated by the isolationists, perhaps American leadership through economic manipulation played larger role than it has been given credit4. The United States was not an isolationist nation after WWI, and its economic foreign policy decisions had global consequences.

America's Isolationism in the 20th Century Whether America followed Isolationism depends on how isolationism is described, either pejorative or descriptive. The insulting description could mean a complete cut off from the rest of the world, like Tokugawa Japan did, who ceased all trade, cultural and religious contacts with the rest of the world. The neutral description, quoted from Thomas Jefferson in 1801, "peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none" America combined this statement with the concepts of, avoiding permanent political and military commitments to foreign countries, particularly in Europe; this version does not exclude military

Isolationism refers to “a national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries” (The American Heritage Dictionary). In America’s case, isolationism refers to our long-lasting reluctance to be involved in European alliances and wars. America’s isolationist ways date back to the early nineteenth century when John Adams warned congress about involvement in European affairs by stating “Our business with them, and theirs with us,” he wrote, “is commerce, not politics, much less war” (Tindall, 894). Europe was viewed as “old world” and had many problems. Americans did not want to engage in Europe’s power struggles or military conflicts, so we isolated ourselves. Foreign relations were not as important to our country, as our own were in America such as: western settlement, domestic policies, and industrial development.

The aftermath of World War I left a lasting impression on the 1920s because America entered the Great War later than the big European countries. This gave them an upper hand in their economic position since they did not spend as much money as France, Germany, and Britain did. This ignited their unprecedented affluence which had a domino effect in America’s society in terms of government’s relationship to business. Another effect of the First World War is the Red Scare and America’s prejudice and fear against the minorities shown through the immigration policies it established. These changes in the economy increased living standards, evidently seen through the consumer culture, progressive innovations, and increased consumption. This illusion of expanding prosperity came to an end with the stock market crash in 1929. This opened America’s eyes to their limits which make the 1920s a decade imperative for its legacy rippled throughout our history.

Following the War of 1812, the United States established itself as a world power and proved its capability to protect needy nations. After the French Revolution, nations realized the importance of balancing power and recognized the dangerousness of one nation holding excessive power. (Stanley Chodorow, MacGregor Knox, Conrad Schirokauer, Joseph Strayer, Hans Gatzke 1969) For years, America held the policy of isolationism and only intervened in other countries’ affairs if necessary. Despite strained relations in the past, diplomatic relations with China began in 1979. (Andrew J. Nathan, Columbia University 2009) Last year, an American battleship entered the South China Sea, inspecting Chinese activities. As an ally and nation known to keep the

World War II was of great importance to the United States of America. Women also had an important role in this war. The war effort stimulated patriotism and promoted economic prosperity. American industry quickly transformed to war production in order to contribute to the nation’s military necessities. When the men left to fight in war, women were left with the men’s duties back on the home front. During World War II, approximately 350,000 women served in the U.S. on the home front and overseas. The working industry instituted a campaign urging women to do their part to meet wartime manufacturing quotas. It wasn’t common for women at this time to work outside the home, but this war needed every helping hand possible, woman or man. World War II brought about the new trend of women earning their own money for themselves instead of always having to rely on their husband’s money. This gave a sense of independence to women of this era. Besides working on the home front, some women also volunteered for war service and join a various amount of women’s branches in the armed forces; such as the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, which eventually became the Women’s Army Corp (WAC). The Women’s Army Corps was the first time women were given a full military rank. Women pilots also came about, these women were in an organization called Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASP). The WASP was not easy to be accepted into and only a limited number of women who applied were accepted. There was

Retired venture capitalist Gregg Bemis owns the salvage rights to the Lusitania — and he thinks he can solve the 100-year-old mystery of why it sank so quickly. His biggest obstacle: The Irish government, which has fought him for years over his plans to explore the wreck.

According to the article ¨World War I: Aftermath,¨ written by an anonymous author, on the website United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Europe had to have many burdensome reparations imposed and had a general inflationary period all because of World War I. To begin with, the social and economic upheaval that followed World War I powerfully destabilized Germany’s fledgling democracy. After the war, many Germans forgot that they had applauded the fall of Kaiser; therefore, they had welcomed a parliamentary democratic reform and rejoiced at the truce that was made. On the other hand, some individuals like the historian Friedrich Meinecke and Nobel prize-winning author Thomas Mann, had resisted democratic reform. Also, anyone who urges someone

During the 20th century, the U.S found themselves involved in several global conflicts, such as the two major World Wars. Ultimately, these conflicts led to social introspection and laid the foundation for drastic social change. There was an altering in ethnic relations, migration settlements, and women rights.

Foreign policy, is government strategy of dealing with other countries. The United States had an “open door” policy where free flow of trade, investment, information, and culture were key principles in foreign relations. Later we started to become an intervening military, involved with other nation affairs, and wanting to promote liberty and democracy. The United States wanted to remake the world into the American image.

Foreign Policy is our government’s strategy for dealing with other nations. Throughout this paper I will be talking about different examples of foreign policy and how our nation deals with other nations.The development of foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or behaviours of other states, oe plans to advance specific geopolitical designs. A foreign policy should protect the integrity of the country and the interests of its citizens. The foreign policy of a country should promote its national interests of the country. Foreign policy should also promote economic interests of the country. Foreign policy has long-lasting consequences. Some of the people making decisions on foreign policy won't live long enough

The Nazis had branded her as a degenerate artist and the Dadaists attempted to push her out. She was a part of the modernist revolution, and witnessed the rise of the European avant-gardes; the emancipation of women; the growth of photography, cinema, and mass media; and two world wars. However, she proved herself as a pioneer of photomontage and as a feminist icon. Hannah Höch focuses her artwork on the political chaos of World War I, as shown in Cut with the Dada Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch. (Fig. 1)

By the dawn of the 20th Century, an overwhelming majority of the world was ruled by the Great Powers of Continental Europe. Furthermore, the paramount aim of the Great Powers was the consolidation of geopolitical power. Consequently, international relations amongst the Great Powers were characterised by fierce rivalries between competing imperial ambitions. As a result, this essay asserts that to a large extent, the First World War (1914-18) was an inevitable outcome of 19th Century imperial competition. To develop this assertion, this essay will analyse how the Great Powers’ competing imperial ambitions had worsened international relations within Continental Europe to the point where a major armed conflict was unavoidable. First of all, this essay asserts that the unification of Germany (1871) caused the international system’s initial destabilisation. Moreover, the consequences of the Congress of Berlin (1878) for international stability in the Balkans will be explored. Additionally, this essay posits that the Alliance System intensified imperial competition, which worsened international relations, thus drawing the continent closer to a major armed conflict. Furthermore, the consequences of Germany’s foreign policy (Weltpolitik) for international stability during the late 19th Century will be explored too. This essay also notes the significant, albeit smaller role that the Berlin Conference (1884-85) and the subsequent ‘Scramble for Africa’ played in worsening colonial

“The European organization contemplated could not oppose any ethnic group, on other continents or in Europe itself, outside of the league of nations, any more that it could oppose the League of Nations”

World War means a war that affects the whole world; it specially involves and destroys the most powerful and biggest nations of the time. It is a war on such a huge scale that affects also countries of different parts of the world, it lasts for multiple years. So far only two events that happened on a huge scale that humanity has never seen before the 20th century and have been labeled as "World War"; those are World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). The term "World War III" is usually used to describe a predicted global conflict in the future. However, these days a lot of people are assuming it might be in the near future.