USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
After World War I, most Americans wanted the United States to follow a foreign policy of

(A) remaining involved in overseas affairs

(B) supporting the League of Nations

(C) ** isolationism in world affairs

(D) using United States forces to maintain peace in Europe

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -During the 1930s, the combination of the Great Depression and the memory of tragic losses in World War I contributed to pushing American public opinion and policy toward isolationism. Isolationists advocated non-involvement in European and Asian conflicts and non-entanglement in international politics.

Concept note-2: -Isolationism refers to America’s longstanding reluctance to become involved in European alliances and wars. Isolationists held the view that America’s perspective on the world was different from that of European societies and that America could advance the cause of freedom and democracy by means other than war.

Concept note-3: -During the period between World War I and World War II, the United States pursued a largely isolationist foreign policy. It refused to join the League of Nations, and Congress passed a series of bills in the 1930s that imposed a policy of neutrality on the United States in foreign conflicts.

Concept note-4: -What ensued was a radical shift in U.S. foreign policy, which promoted a stance of isolationism that would last until World War II. Warren Harding won the 1920 presidential election on the promise of staying out of global affairs, and by arguing that the United States needed normalcy and a focus on internal problems.

Concept note-5: -Why did, for the most part, America adopt an isolationist foreign policy after the Revolutionary War? George Washington made a statement that entanglement in foreign affairs would cause issues for early America and the people should focus inward on building themselves up.