American Isolationism

American Isolationism

Introduction

Isolationism, at the most basic level, is a foreign policy that is grounded on the premises to maintain the national autonomy i.e. interests, self-sufficiency, and rights, and that of without having any alliance or treaties with other nations. America also maintained this isolationist practice for many decades which affected its policies regarding its relations with other countries as well as about the utilization of natural resources of the nation.

Discussion

Concept

Though the doctrines of the isolationist policies date back to the revolutionary foundation of the nation and its colonial past, the term isolationism was not generally used until early 1920s. It was then that the isolating views of the nation broadened and deepened involving more unilateralist perceptions regarding United States either ought or ought not to act with other nations in the path of achieving American interests. Practically, none of the American isolationist ever supported a complete back off or cultural and political cutoff from the world (Smith, 2010).

The key elements of isolationism were the expansion and sustenance of U.S commerce. It was adopted due to the fact that being involved in foreign wars could not endorse or advance the social and political growth. American isolationism followed the model of the early years of republic in colonial days. Avoiding military and political alliances along with refusing to engage their military force beyond Western Hemisphere was their motto at the time of isolationism. Isolationists were aware of the dangers and corruptions that could be brought in the nation by engaging in the European power politics (Powaski, 1991).

Key Events

At one hand, the clear case made to support the isolationism was to protect tariffs insulating the U.S farmers such as crop subsidies and farms, along with the commercial interests, like import tariffs. On the other side, the stress on self-sufficiency at the center of the isolationist economic perspectives also made it obvious that autonomy was significant rather than the environmental concerns (Smith, 2010). Owing to this fact, mining, drilling, farming, and producing at home were preferred over being dependent upon the foreign resources and goods. These very arguments led U.S senate to reject the Treaty of Versailles in 1920 along with refusing to join the League of Nations. The basis to refuse joining League of Nations was that it could bind U.S to act according to the league rather than for the nation's interest which may restrict American freedom of action (Powaski, 1991).

Isolationism reached its peak during Roosevelt's first term, from 1933 to 1937. It was the time when the Senate in 1934, being pressurized by the peace groups who blamed economically strong “merchants of death” for engagement in World War I, established the Nye committee. It investigated the munitions industry, its financial backers along with its role in manipulation of U.S policy (Kennedy, 2002). Congress passed Neutrality Acts in 1935 due to the influence of Nye Committee. These acts imposed an arms embargo and limited American travel on confrontational ships.

The first Neutrality Act was passed by Congress ...