what is isolationism?

Question

indepth definition including foreign policy

Answer 1

Isolationism, from the American historical perspective, is the idea that the United States can ignore the outside world and simply go it alone. It has been a prevalent idea in both parties from time to time, but has been more dominant in the Republicans overall.

Before 1917 the isolationists of both parties succeeded in keeping us from acting to end the stalemate between the democracies and the central powers in the Great War. President Wilson himself leaned to the opinion that it was none of our business, and was only convinced otherwise by the attempts of the German government to involve us in a war with Mexico and Japan.

After the Armistice it was the isolationists who shamed us by disavowing the Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations, throwing away the victory and condemning us to the Second World War, which the isolationists also kept us out of until we were attacked. Small wonder our allies do not trust us now.

The isolationists of the Second War had many motives. Henry Ford hated the Jews, and supported Hitler's campaign of genocide. Many corporate heads were intrigued by the Nazi extinguishment of unions, and many citizens such as Charles Lindbergh thought we should ally ourselves with the Nazis to attack Russia. Those were the Republicans of 1940 for you.

There were Democrats as well, such as Senator La Follette, who simply felt we had no need to defend the rights of others with our own young men. A man can be wrong for the noblest of reasons, I suppose.

Since 1945 there have been few genuine isolationists in either party, because it is obvious that we cannot ignore the rest of the world. You would be hard pressed to find a prominent member of either party who fits the definition. What they are arguing about is not intervention, but the method thereof.

Answer 2

In short: The country keeps to itself.

Longer: the country takes steps to not become involved in international politics, military actions, or anything else.

The government of the nation holds minimal negotiations with other nations, since they don't want to be involved. The government either limits trade or keeps its hands off of trade with other nations. The government keeps its military almost solely inside its own borders and doesn't become involved in military issues of other nations.

Answer 3

Not getting involved in foreign matters. We should move back to this policy and focus on the problems in America.

Answer 4

Depends if voluntary or enforced.
Voluntary are:
secession, autonomy, ghetto, etc.
Enforced:reservation, deportation, quarantine, etc.