Isolationism

Many countries consider the United States to be the world’s policeman, a status it received after intervening in both World Wars and proposing the creation of the United Nations to facilitate global peace. But the United States was not always viewed as a protector of peace and democracy. For most of its history, the nation practiced isolationism.

This article discusses the definition of isolationism, explains the difference between isolationism and internationalism, and explores the history of isolationism in America from its establishment to the most recent show of support for isolationism.

Isolationism Definition

Isolationism refers to a country’s policy of non-involvement in the political or military affairs of other countries. The term isolationist refers to a person who believes in the principles of isolationism. Isolationists are also called anti-interventionalists.

Isolationism was a prominent ideology in early United States history. Isolationists find support for their stance as early as the 18th century, but it wasn't until the 20th century that American isolationism gained wide popularity.

Fig. 1 - Picket sign at an anti-war protest shortly before the U.S. entered WWII

Isolationism v. Internationalism

Isolationists argue that states should not get involved in the affairs of other countries. Countries are often of the opinion that they can meet their needs on their own. Countries may also turn to isolationism when they feel their military or government cannot adequately protect them, withdrawing into themselves to prevent their interests from being challenged.

In the U.S., early isolationists believed that the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would protect them from conflicts on the other side of the world. From the 18th century to the early 20th century, the country focused on building and modernizing.

By the 1900s, the U.S. was one of the most powerful countries, both in economic and military might. Support for isolationism persisted. Americans refused to enter into agreements that would benefit other countries. They also wanted to focus on the internal problems of the country and establish model policies at home.

In December of 1823, President James Monroe proclaimed that European colonization or intervention in the Western Hemisphere was prohibited. The Monroe Doctrine was initially intended to deter Russia from expanding its territory in the Pacific Northwest region but applied to Europe as well. Eighty years later, President Theodore Roosevelt upheld and expanded the Monroe Doctrine in the Roosevelt Collorary.

Fig. 2 - 1912 cartoon explaining the isolationist stance of the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere, Wikimedia Commons.

However, in the 19th century, the U.S. began expanding its sphere of influence under the idea of Manifest Destiny. Advocates of Manifest Destiny believe that God destined the U.S. to spread democracy and capitalism on the North American continent. Using its newly formed navy, the U.S. gained control of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Cuba (briefly). This expansion of power proved that the U.S. could not completely shut itself out from the rest of the world.

American Isolationism During World War I

The U.S. would continue to practice isolationism even as relations in Europe dissolved into an all-out war. Woodrow Wilson even ran a successful presidential campaign on the promise that the U.S. would not enter the war, despite his belief that U.S. intervention would lead to peace.

During the first two years of World War I, the U.S. supplied Allied Forces with arms, ammunition, and other equipment. However, that was the extent of U.S. support. That changed in 1917.

Germany began using unrestricted submarine warfare to cut off supplies to Great Britain. German submarines targeted passenger and merchant ships in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas. They knew the U.S. would intervene, but they were confident they could secure a victory before U.S. troops landed overseas. Germany also promised Mexico it would help them regain territories previously lost to America if they formed an alliance.

On April 2, 1917, President Wilson requested the authority from Congress to declare war against Germany. On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany. On December 7, 1917, the U.S. also declared war on Austria-Hungary, Germany’s ally in the war.

Fig. 3 - Political Cartoon of Uncle Sam beaten by European politics. The caption reads " Some people think I should have stayed t'hum (stayed home)."

President Wilson presented his idea for an international organization to settle international disputes called the League of Nations. This organization would prevent the deterioration of global affairs into war. It is the predecessor of the United Nations. Despite its noble goal, the U.S. Senate did not ratify the treaty. The U.S. did not participate in the League of Nations because isolationists believed the U.S. would be needlessly pulled into international conflicts.

American Isolationism Since World War II

In the span of time before World War II, when tensions were again rising in Europe, American public opinion once again favored isolationism. With the losses associated with World War I still fresh in their minds, Americans were convinced it was a huge mistake to have interfered in the conflicts of a separate continent. Americans were not willing to make the same mistake again. However, the United States continued to provide weapons, ammunition, and food to Great Britain as it did during World War I. The United States maintained this neutrality and isolationist standpoint until the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the United States finally committed itself to vanquishing the Axis Powers.

After World War II, it seemed like the United States gained a new understanding of the perils of isolationism. Because of increasing globalization and the invention of vessels for international travel, it became clear that conflicts in Europe did not stay in Europe. The United States decided to participate in international organizations like the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the hopes of preventing further wars.

Fig. 4 - Two members of the National Council for the Prevention of War holding pro-isolationist posters in 1924

American Isolationism 1965 to Present

Isolationism has continued to gain support as new generations enter the political sphere. After the U.S. faced huge losses during the Vietnam War (1965-1975), people asserted that the U.S. shouldn't interfere in the affairs of other nations. A similar pattern of thinking occurred after September 11, 2001 and grew after the unpopularity of the Afghanistan War (2001-2021). President Trump talked about putting America first, mirroring sentiments felt by previous generations of Americans who were skeptical about helping other countries to the detriment of the United States.

Fig. 5 - Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C. in 1971.

Minneapolis residents protest against endless U.S. wars and interventions in 2016, Fibonacci Blue, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Will the United States continue to resolve the conflicts of other countries as the world’s policeman? Does the United States have a moral obligation to help these countries? For over two hundred years the answer has alternated between yes and no as the United States’ role on the world stage continued to change.