Americas Isolationism in the 20th Century Essay - 678 Words

Americas 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†¦show more content†¦Germany had threatened America by sinking the Lusitanian in 1915; it was also not in Americas best interests if Europe was controlled by Germany. President Woodrow Wilson took America into the war and defeated Germany, the side America was on won, but at a great cost to America. Men had been killed and the American citizens wanted to know why they had to die for foreign countries. The war was a temporary aberration from isolationism but progressivism lead to a return of strength to isolationism. The 1920s were Americas Golden Years brought forth by good industry. The US had independent internationalism. After the war had ended and Germany had been defeated America set up the League of Nations, but it did not sign the agreement to be permanently committed to helping other foreign countries, therefore not breaking from the isolationist rules they were trying to follow. They did however make negotiations with Britain and Japan to limit arms. The 1920s therefore could have been the most isolationist decade in the USA; they were involved with the world affairs for this decade but did commit to any agreements and did not start any entangling alliances. In 1929 the Wall Street stock markets crashed, Americas economy was thrown into chaos. Democratic presidents came into power in the 1930s to get involved and to help America. They were isolationist while they gotShow MoreRelatedThe War I Was The United States Become A Super Power959 Words   |  4 Pages World War I was the war that shaped the future of the 20th century and is what helped make the United States become a super power. Since its Independence the United States had taken a stance of isolationism from conflicts in Europe and Asia. To further assert their stance on isolationism the United States passed the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 which stated that any attempt by a European nation to colonize or interfere with North and South American would be seen as an act of aggression. 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