2. THE LIMITS OF ISOLATIONSIM
- Economic and cultural influences
All around the world American influence was being felt – in fashions & customs. The rest of the world saw US movies, drove Ford cars and drank Coca-Cola. Economically, the USA helped bring stability to countries through investment
- ‘Independent internationalism’
In reality America was not truly isolationist. They did have contacts and dealings with Europe, Asia & S.America, although they made no commitments in the international arena or accepted any limitations on their freedom of action. It was involved in a wide spectrum of affairs e.g. economic expansion, German reparations, naval & land disarmament’s and international efforts to promote peace. Herbert Hoover was the man who oversaw this policy. He saw that it was vital for America to have a world fit to trade with.
THE PRACTICE OF ISOLATIONISM IN EUROPE AND LATION AMERICA
- Economic assistance to Europe
The USA loaned money ($110 million) to Germany so they could pay their reparations, which were in turn given back to the Americans by GB and France as payments for war debts. German reparations were also reorganised in 1924 & 1929 by Charles Dawes and Owen Young. It was seen as being in the interests of America to rebuild Europe’s economies as they consumed over 60% of America’s exports
- International peace agreements
The Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) was the brainchild of the US Sec of State and the French Foreign Minister. This was beneficial to the USA, as only war could remove America’s economic dominance in the world.
This relates to America’s policy in Latin America. It was first coined by FDR, but the policy was active in the 1920’s. In this area the USA was far from isolationist, intervening or having its forces in many countries (eg Haiti). These were the actions of a country that thought they knew what was best for its neighbour. One example of this is its support for right-wing regimes (Nicaragua, Cuba, Dominican republic) to keep out any left-wing influence in latin America, which might endanger their economic interests there.
4. FDR AND ISOLATIONISM 1933-38
- Little response to external aggression
FDR was restricted in the 1930s to talking about ways in which the US could influence others to keep peace. In the end his peace plans, such as that offered in Jan 1938, were not thought through. FDR offered gestures and a posture of helplessness as the world drifted to war.
- Tide of opinion in the 1930s
Throughout the 1930s the mood of the country was still isolationist. FDR could not go against the sentiments of the public, nor could he go against the Isolationists in Congress, who he needed to pass his New Deal legislation.
Passed between 1935 & 1937, these were designed to prevent a repeat of the events of 1917 – it said that the USA should not trade with any belligerents in times of war, nor should they provide loans. These tie FDR’s hands and encouraged the aggressors.
- THE END OF ISOLATIONISM
The ground work was already being made before Pearl Harbour for the US to enter the war on the side of the Allies. Co-operation with GB extended in 1941 with Anglo-American naval planning; the US navy occupied Greenland to build naval bases; the US marines were sent to Iceland to prevent a possible German invasion; US merchant ships were armed before Pearl Harbour in response to German U-boat attacks; US helped GB navy to pinpoint U-boat positions; the US possibly provoked the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbour.
- Action rather than words to counter Japanese and German aggression
American destroyers were swapped for leases of GB bases in the Western Hemisphere (Sept, 1940) and a conscription bill was agreed in the same month. In March 1941 the Lend Lease agreement was made – this in realty was a declaration of economic warfare against the axis powers.
- Continued strong opposition to American intervention in the Second World War
After 1939, FDR was trying to educate the American public of the threat to US security if the Axis powers won, but isolationist feeling was still strong in July 1939. As well as the rejection of a proposed revision o the Neutrality laws, during most of 1940 & 1941, 80% of Americans opposed a declaration of war against the Axis powers, but did favour aid to victims of axis aggression.
