Why did America adopt a policy of isolationism after the First World War?

Richard Tandy

America joined the First World War in 1917 after a time of not fighting, but supplying goods and ammunition to the western Allies. However, after the First World War, America adopted a policy of isolationism whereas they did not want have any involvement with the problems of foreign countries such as fighting in wars. There were three main ways that America became isolationist.

Firstly, America became isolationist in immigration issues. Leaders in America were concerned about the mass immigration of people into America and providing cheap labour and also feared that they may bring political ideas with them such as that they were feared of the ideas of communism. Also, many Americans did not want foreign people coming into the country and “diluting” their traditional culture. Therefore, in 1921 a limit of 300,000 people was put on the number of people allowed into the country each year and immigrants also had to sit tests such as literacy tests, in a way of being able to refuse people coming in. In 1924 the immigration Quota act was introduced which further put the limit to 150,000 people per year. In 1929 this number was further reduced to 70,000 people and no people from Asia were allowed into the country as a further way to combat mass immigration.

Not only did America combat the immigration of people from foreign countries but they also became isolationist in trade by limiting the number of foreign goods coming into the country. They did this as they wanted America to become self sufficient and people were afraid that people would lose jobs if not enough American goods were being purchased. So in 1922 the Forney McCumber Tariff Act was introduced which put a high tariff or tax onto foreign goods coming into and being sold in the country in a bid to overprice the goods and make Americans buy the American ...

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In addition to taxing goods from foreign countries, America also became isolationist in foreign affairs of foreign countries. Although they had not suffered losses as bad as those of the European countries involved, people in America were shocked by the loss of life from their involvement in the War and they did not want the country getting involved in the problems of far away countries and sending their soldiers away to far away places which did not really concern America. Therefore, after the First World War the president adopted a policy of “America first” whereas decisions were made which would benefit the country.

In conclusion, America became isolationist in the three main areas of immigration, trade and foreign affairs. The most significant of these steps would be in becoming isolationist in foreign affairs, as this was a bold and selfish step to take in such as volatile time. America gained from this policy as they protected themselves in not sending people to foreign countries to deal with problems, protecting jobs with limiting immigration, which provided cheap labour and further protecting American industry and jobs from cheap foreign goods with the introduction of the Forney McCumber Tariff Act. However, these were very selfish steps to take and in some cases they did not benefit such as that with the introduction of the Forney McCumber Tariff Act and the tariff on foreign goods, other countries put high tariffs on American goods coming into their countries and so American exports consequentially suffered.