Why Did The Us Abandon Isolationism

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I have mixed feelings about whether World War Two spelt the end of US Isolationism. I believe that to some extent this time was the least Isolationist the US had ever been, however, in my opinion American interests always focused worldwide despite some president’s isolationist foreign policies.

Churchill wanted the United States involved in the war, openly seeking a fighting incident that would bring the neutral nation into the conflict. On August 4, 1941, Churchill and Roosevelt met for the first time, after corresponding for two years. The Atlantic Charter was one result of their meeting; another was the beginning of a deep personal friendship. They shared several common characteristics: both came from elite backgrounds, both were patricians, and both saw their roles as “democratic noblemen.” Churchill returned to England and told his War Cabinet that Roosevelt would wage war but would not declare it.

The incident Churchill needed occurred on September 4, 1941, when the USS Greer, on a mail run to Iceland, was involved in a fighting incident with a German U-boat. In his subsequent address to the nation, FDR tended to distort the actual facts, using the occasion to begin unrestricted convoying and a limited, defensive naval war. Then on October 31, 1941, a German U-boat torpedoed a U.S. ship. This signaled what was to be the end of American neutrality.

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The bombing of Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, marked the definite end of American isolationism in practical terms.

When Did Us Isolationism End

During the war, the U.S. sent troops to Asia, Africa and Europe. After the war’s end, the remnants of the League of Nations re-formed as the United Nations, and this time the United States was front and center. Under the Truman Doctrine, American economic and military aid went to nations threatened by communism. The Marshall Plan helped rebuild Europe and the Cold War made an American military presence abroad a foregone conclusion for the next 50 years. Roosevelt did not live long enough to see the war unfold though – after declaring war he suddenly died of a brain hemorrhage.

Roosevelt was replaced by Harry Truman. The US had avoided war in World War One because of many factors – economic reasons and public opinion being the most important ones. However by 1945 things had changed and Truman looked upon the war as a brilliant opportunity. Fuelled by German Hatred after the events of Pearl Harbour, Truman had the public on his side. He had the backing of Congress and his own personal views that the US needed war as an economic opportunity (selling munitions) and his slogan to “make the world safe for democracy.” (Safe from German Imperialism.) With all of these positive factors the US entered a war of opportunities.

Abroad, World War II brought an end to American isolationism. In the spring of 1945, the US joined delegates from 50 nations in signing the charter for a permanent United Nations, a year before the International Monetary Fund and World Bank were established to promote economic cooperation among nations. But the biggest challenge facing the United States in the postwar world was the souring of relations with the Soviet Union as a result of that country’s domination of Eastern Europe and support of communist insurgencies around the world.

As part of the effort to contain the Soviet spread and to revive the economies of Western Europe, the United States launched the European Recovery Program (usually known as the Marshall Plan,) which poured $13 billion of aid into the region. In addition, the US adopted a policy of “containment,” shoring up non-communist areas in danger of encroachment. Thus, when the Soviet Union blockaded all surface routes into Berlin, the US and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift, supplying the western sectors of the city by air.

We do have to question however whether the US was truly Isolationist. It would have been ignorant for any president to ignore world matters as if there was an opportunity for intervention then the US may have been able to capitalize on a situation and gain extra lands. After all, raw materials in the US could not last for ever. In my opinion Truman had no intention of remaining Isolationist for the World War, despite his election pledge of “US Isolationism.” Throughout the war he supplied Britain with loans and fighting equipment as well s increasing the US armies and Navies and supporting the Entente’s blockade of Germany.

World War Two was a major point of change for the US. From now on they saw it their duty to intervene in world matters (world policeman) because they were the worlds most influential power, and after all could benefit with the gaining of land and resources from certain countries. Take for example the recent war in Iraq, a country where the US is now gaining valuable amounts of oil from. Although the US’ role as a “world policeman” is supposedly world based, in my opinion this is not the case. Take for example events after world war two.

There have been major wars in Vietnam and in Iraq, but these were only brought about because of threats to the US country. Indeed the US are reluctant to get involved in any war which has no effect on them. Vietnam was brought about by American fear of Communism, and wars in Iraq because of its valuable resources and the terrorism attacks of September the eleventh. During the Cold War, some Americans argued that the country should withdraw from the United Nations; but the Cold War, as a patriotic and ideological crusade, kept those voices from receiving widespread support.

Today, the United States government and military is whatever word would best describe the extreme opposite of isolationist. In my opinion this is how they have always secretly been. US interests were always widespread; it’s just that when World War Two arrived the US were economically and socially ready to develop a world role. The breakout of war provided a perfect opportunity/excuse for the US to move away from it’s “Isolationist” image.

The Challenge to Isolationism.

1. What was FDR’s immediate response to the outbreak of war in Europe?

Roosevelt was re-elected by the US public on the promise that he would keep the US out of World War Two. However he soon realized that war in Europe could lead to war in America and so supported the allied policy of appeasement to ensure peace. Roosevelt wanted to prepare America for the worst though. He believed the security of Europe was crucial to the security of America. He was able to persuade Congress to approve the Naval Expansion Act allowing a 20% increase in the US navy. In 1939, he got an extra $525 million for air defence. At the start of the Second World War, however, the American army still only numbered 185,000.

2. Did a majority of the US public and politicians favour isolationism in the early months of the war?

3. What legislation was included in the Neutrality Act of 4/11/39?

During the 1930s, US public opinion as well as several Senators questioned the validity of US involvement in the Great War. The belief became increasingly common that the nation was deceived into taking part in this bloody conflict by Allied propaganda and to serve the interests of profit-thirsty bankers and industrialists. The conclusions of the Nye Committee in 1934, tasked with investigating the excessive profits made by the war armament industry, reinforced the antiwar position of the American people and finalizes the country’s isolationist policy.

As a reaction to Germany’s re-armament, and to prevent any US involvement in a possible European war, the US Congress voted the Neutrality Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 31, 1935. The Act prohibits trade in military material with warring countries and travel by US nationals on ships belonging to warring countries. It was amended in 1936 to prohibit loans to warring countries, and then in January and March 1937 to include civil wars.

At the beginning of WWII, the possibility that Great Britain could be defeated is real and the growing Nazi threat is a cause for fear. Roosevelt realizes that the Neutrality Act imposes restrictions on possible US actions; amendments will be adopted to diminish the legislation’s scope. Supplying nations at war will be authorized on the “cash and carry” principle. President declares area around British Isles a combat zone in November 1939, and loans of military material will be possible on a land-lease agreement.

Summary of Neutrality Act of 1939; This act repeals the arms embargo and substitutes a policy of “cash and carry”; prohibits United States vessels and citizens from entering combat zones; establishes the National Munitions Control composed of the Secretaries of States, Treasury, War, Navy, and Commerce.

4. What impact did Hitler’s successful Blitzkrieg have on American attitudes?

The speed with which the German army overran Western Europe shocked the American public. By June 1940, the Nazis were in control of Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and France. Through the summer and autumn the Battle of Britain was fought with Britain and its empire standing alone against the Nazi threat. The broadcasts of journalist Ed Murrow from London during the Blitz did much to communicate to Americans the intensity of the struggle taking places, and this led to cries from the US public for American intervention in the war.