I.

Introduction

Isolationism, policy where a nation’s interests are best served if the nation secludes itself from other nations and avoids forming alliances with them. Isolationism has been practiced by various countries throughout history, including Japan, China, and the United States. Japan followed a policy of isolationism for hundreds of years before forming an alliance with Britain in 1902. More recently, China followed an isolationist policy during much of the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976.

The United States has a history of isolationism dating back to its earliest days as a republic, before the 13 colonies won their independence. Today, some political leaders favor isolationism and isolationist sentiment can be found in American society. Isolationist sentiment in the United States has been largely confined to the political arena and has not extended to commercial relationships with other nations.

II.

In the Early United States

In its early days, the United States adopted an isolationist policy for a variety of reasons. The fledgling nation wanted to develop without becoming entangled in the conflicts that had overtaken Europe and without being influenced by European values. Early leaders feared that too much involvement in the affairs of other nations would endanger the values of freedom and equality that had fueled the founding of America. The United States wanted to serve as a model for other countries and recognized that it must first perfect its own development.

Isolationism held more practical benefits for the young nation. The American continent was a large, undeveloped, landmass that required the country’s undivided attention before it could become involved in political affairs abroad. The Europeans, and especially the British, dominated world affairs. The United States could not hope to have an immediate impact in the international arena. A policy of isolationism also proved advantageous for the United States because the country risked domination by Europe if it tried to become prematurely involved in international affairs.

Early leaders of the United States endorsed commercial treaties and expansion of trade with other nations, but discouraged political or military alliances. President George Washington delivered such a message in his Farewell Address of 1796, just before leaving office. Washington called upon the United States to foster good relations with all nations and encouraged the country to develop economic ties abroad. But he warned against becoming involved in the affairs of Europe. In his 1801 inaugural address, President Thomas Jefferson repeated Washington’s warning, encouraging friendly relations with all nations but “entangling alliances with none.” In 1823 President James Monroe also reiterated Washington’s directive in a message sent to Congress. The message, which became known as the Monroe Doctrine, called on the United States to stay out of European affairs and also warned the Europeans not to meddle in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. Monroe said any such action would impinge upon the “rights and interests” of the United States.

III.

U.S. Policy Prior to World War II

Throughout much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States followed a course of political isolationism, even as it extended its commercial relationships worldwide. This political isolationism did not apply to the country’s domestic efforts to expand its territory on its own continent. Such efforts were associated with Manifest Destiny, the belief that U.S. expansion was not only inevitable but also a divine right. For example, in 1803 the United States bought a vast region of territory in North America from France in a deal known as the Louisiana Purchase. During the 1800s the United States also purchased Alaska from Russia, and Texas and other territories from Mexico.

Throughout the 19th century, however, the United States resisted entering into foreign conflicts. Protecting domestic interests alone was not a good enough reason to become involved. Some higher moral principle had to be at stake. For example, the United States fought the War of 1812 against Britain in Canada and at home to stop the British from blockading international waters. In 1898 the United States fought the Spanish-American War to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule. The United States did not enter World War I (1914-1918) until Germany violated international law in 1917 by resuming its campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare.

After World War I, the United States reverted back to isolationism. As a result, the United States did not join the League of Nations when it was founded in 1920 or during the 26 years of its existence.

IV.

Isolationism in American Society

Although isolationism in the United States was primarily political, it also affected other aspects of American society. For example, in the early 20th century, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to restrict emigration from Europe and prohibit emigration from Asia. These laws aimed to control and reduce foreign influences in America. In the early 1930s Congress passed legislation to restrict foreign trade in order to protect the United States from the impact of a faltering global economy. Congress also passed legislation during the Great Depression of the 1930s to keep the country neutral during foreign disputes. This was another means of insulating the United States from the problems of the global community, especially Europe. These isolationist impulses cut across Democratic and Republican political lines, although Republicans had a stronger tradition of isolationism. See American Foreign Policy.

V.

The Effect of World War II

The United States stayed out of World War II until December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, a major American naval base in Hawaii. The attack killed about 3,000 people.

The experience of World War II (1939-1945) changed American attitudes toward isolationism. The United States recognized that to be safe it needed allies. As a result, the country’s postwar policy was based on international cooperation and collective security. The United States was one of four countries to draft the charter for the United Nations (UN) and one of the UN’s founding members. The push by the Soviet Union to increase its sphere of influence changed U.S. foreign policy even further. United States policymakers tried to curtail Soviet expansion and the influence of communism by giving economic and military aid to other countries. The United States also formed formal military alliances, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), established in 1949.

VI.

Current Attitudes

Although the United States abandoned isolationism as a policy after World War II, isolationist attitudes continue to rise up from time to time. With the end of the Cold War struggle between the United States and Soviet Union in the early 1990s, some Americans were once again calling for the United States to retreat into isolationism. After 40 years of struggle against communism, these Americans favored reducing the role of the United States in foreign affairs. Also, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, some Americans preferred to revert to a more isolationist and more unilateralist approach to the world.

Yet most Americans believe it is not realistic for the country to withdraw from world affairs. Roughly two-thirds of Americans support an “active role” for the United States in global affairs. Furthermore, most Americans continue to support a multilateral approach—as opposed to an isolationist or unilateral approach—in dealing with global issues. Given the importance of American military strength to global stability, the dependence of the economy on international trade, and the forces of globalization that increasingly knit the world together, isolationism appears neither a viable nor desirable policy for the United States. While isolationist attitudes can still be found in American society, they are less likely than in the past to become a dominant policy.