Analysis of Arguments for US Isolationist Policy in Foreign Affairs

This essay examines the arguments for US isolationism in foreign policy, focusing on the period leading up to World War II. It analyzes the influence of the Great Depression and the war's impact on public opinion and policy. The essay discusses the role of President Roosevelt and the shift in public sentiment following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The arguments for isolationism are explored, including the emphasis on non-involvement in international conflicts and the prioritization of domestic concerns. The essay also highlights the different groups supporting isolationism, such as conservatives, progressives, peace activists, and business owners. References to relevant academic sources are included to support the analysis of this historical period and its impact on US foreign policy.

Running head: FOREIGN POLICY
Foreign Policy
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FOREIGN POLICY
Arguments for Isolationists Policy
The isolationist sentiments at first prevailed but in the end, the US eventually entered
the conflict. A combination of tragic losses during the world war 1 and the great depression
in the 1930s contributed to the US public opinion and policy geared towards isolationism. It
advocated for non-involvement with Asian and European conflicts and international politics.
The great depression and the world war two signified an important event economically for the
United States. The war effects ware far reaching and varied. Isolationists was a federal
responses by President Roosevelt in response to the great depression which encouraged
confidence and real economic growth during economic war (Cox, & Stokes, 2018).
The US took measures to avoid possible military and political conflicts internationally
as it continued to protect its interest in other parts of the world and expand economically. The
American war experience gave more arguments to the isolationist’s policy. The public argued
that the US interest in the war which was marginal did not justify the casualties’ number from
the US during the war. The isolationists consisted of diversity in groups including
conservatives and progressives, peace activists and business owners (Kaufman, 2017). The
groups faced no opposition specifically from internationalists and therefore the isolationist’s
ideology triumphed over and over again. To strengthen the isolationist’s agenda, President
Roosevelt seemed to accept the isolationist’s views in the congress until 1937. The argument
was that Americans were not prepared to risks their livelihoods and risk their lives for
international wars and peace.
Roosevelt portrayed international war to a disease that should be worked on by other
countries. It was not surprising that even the 1939 Europe war did not deter the non-
entanglement policy that the US had (Mirza, 2018). However, the 1941 Japanese attack on a
US navy ship convinced most Americans that the war was necessary.

FOREIGN POLICY
References
Cox, M., & Stokes, D. (Eds.). (2018). US foreign policy. Oxford University Press.
Kaufman, J. P. (2017). A concise history of US foreign policy. Rowman & Littlefield.
Mirza, M. N. (2018). Enduring Legacy of Realism and the US Foreign Policy: Dynamics of
Prudence, National Interest and Balance of Power. National Interest and Balance of
Power (June 2018). Orient Research Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 163-176.