The Phoenix of Foreign Policy: Isolationism's Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy During the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Discontent with global relations is causing policy pressures which are reminiscent of pressures which existed when isolationism dominated American foreign policy. Among these pressures are; fear of abandonment or exploitation, preoccupation with domestic well-being and attendant dissociation from global relations, and advocacy of trade barriers to check foreign competition. This paper discusses isolationism's influence during three periods in American history--pre-World War I (1914-1916), pre-World War II (1922 to 1941), and the 'Cold War' (1947 to the present)--to develop an understanding of isolationism in the U.S. foreign policy, of isolationism's evolution from the traditional variant Washington advocated in 1796, and of isolationism's potential to again influence U.S. foreign policy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA242065

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  • Douglas E. Walker

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  • Naval Postgraduate School

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