Period 7 DBQ

Based on the country's involvement in World War I, the country and its people supported an
isolationist foreign policy, as society was more interested in staying out of global strife and
enjoying the Roaring Twenties' domestic triumph. Even as authoritarianism and fascist
aggressiveness grew in the 1920s and 1930s, American foreign policy intended to keep the US
out of any potential involvement. As the possibility of violence in the hands of our allies grew
more likely, and Americans saw democracy as a threat, efforts were made to negotiate treaties
that would launch the US into global international politics, while diplomacy appeared to be
resolute in keeping our country out of European troubles. Some policies, such as the Lend Lease
Act, appear to be shifting away from them. While isolationism can be defined as measures that
keep the US as isolated as possible (1, 4, 5), it is apparent that the US will gradually move away
from isolationism and be forced to act (2, 6). Some Americans appeared to be
pro-interventionist, disagreeing with isolationism and favoring action.
Following World War I, the United States was clearly isolationist, with its rejection of the Treaty
of Versailles and reluctance to join the League of Nations being the main reasons. Because naval
weaponry was limited around the world, America was assumed to be at peace with the rest of
the world (Doc 1). This is significant because it ties to Coolidge's goal of assuring the success of
US isolationism while maintaining the peace. The Great Depression's tragedy, as well as the
losses of World War I, supported the idea that isolationism is best for America. FDR's letter to
Maxim Litvinov, a Russian official, reinforces the effectiveness of isolationism while the US has
normal diplomatic relations with the USSR. This is significant because it relates to the intended
audience, who are terrified and fatigued after WWI. Despite his isolationist stance, FDR was a
cautious man. When the threat of WWII loomed, he declared a state of emergency, expanded
the strength of the national guard, and authorized the initiation of the selective training and
service act. Continues Bennett Champ Clark, underlining the importance of a policy that will
support isolationism despite the country's confidence in it. This is significant because, in the
author's opinion, a firm foundation is required before the country can be entirely isolated.
During WWII, for example, the United States passed the Neutrality Acts, which made it unlawful
for Americans to sell or transport armaments or other war materials to belligerent countries.
With the development of new weaponry such as rockets and bombs, as well as the
strengthening of the US's rivals, the US is beginning to stray from its isolationist stance and will
be obliged to respond. The creation of new, very lethal weapons would have a major impact on
global relations. This is significant because it pertains to the author's thesis about how it's
impossible to stay isolated when there's such dangerous weaponry on the loose. Dive bombers,
torpedo bombers, and fighter planes exhibited their destructive weaponry in Pearl Harbor on
December 7th, 1941.FDR's address on October 5, 1937, continued to emphasize the prospect
that the United States may not be able to maintain its isolationism. This is significant since it
relates to the target audience. FDR wishes to warn residents of the potential danger that may
arise as a result of WW2. America tries to keep away by employing the lend lease legislation,
which allows Britain to borrow commodities in exchange for a pledge to return them.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, America realized that it could no longer remain isolated.
Isolationism is a misconception, according to Edwin L. James, and the United States has always
been there. This is noteworthy since it relates to the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan.
Although Japan and the United States were not enemies, they bombed as a precaution to
assure that the US would not interfere with their activities. The New York Times presents their
thoughts on intervention, claiming that if Hitler were to win, the world would be thrown into
chaos, with the US as the Nazis' antagonist. This is significant because it relates to the author's
goal of underlining the impending threat if America does not act quickly. America's system of
governance is democracy, whereas Germany's is totalitarianism, the polar opposite. If the Nazis
were to triumph, they would attempt to crush America, rendering isolationism impossible.
While the majority of Americans wanted to be isolationists and stay out of wars, some
contended that isolationism was impossible to achieve because of enemies' expanding military
and economic power. Because society was more concerned with remaining out of global strife
and enjoying the home victory of the Roaring Twenties, the country and its people embraced an
isolationist foreign policy. In the 1920s and 1930s, as authoritarianism and fascist aggression
spread, American foreign policy aimed to keep the US out of any potential entanglement. As the
possibility of violence in the hands of our allies grew more likely, and Americans saw democracy
as a threat, efforts were made to negotiate treaties that would launch the US into global
international politics, while diplomacy appeared to be resolute in keeping our country out of
European troubles.

Period 7 DBQ

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Period 7 DBQ

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Period 7 DBQ

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Based on the country's involvement in World War I, the country and its people supported an

You might also like