In every event, issue or controversy, it is noticeable that the United States of America possibly finds itself included one way or the other. As the most influential and powerful country in the globe, Americans would argue that these events and issues would likely affect the country even if affected countries or sectors did not call for American involvement. Some people would accept America’s involvement due to the country’s overall capacity and influence while others would be weary for the possible intentions of the Americans in the issue. However, America was not always this active in international, regional and local affairs considering that it was mostly reluctant to get involved with affairs other than America’s concerns. Regardless of the sentiment America should remain isolated; the growing world wars and the ideological sentiment of interventionism enabled the United States to realize its role in the international arena as the world’s leader.
After the events of the War for Independence in 1775, Americans were disenchanted with the idea of going to another war against foreigners due to the deaths and destruction the war has brought to the country. Many American survivors, including the Founding Fathers, became distrustful with the Europeans should they enter American shores despite the aid of countries like France and Spain towards the War effort. In order to cover up its faulty foreign-policy and protect its national interests, the government opted to adopt an isolationist stance to stop American involvement towards any issue involving Europe. George Washington himself stressed that if America can choose for itself if they wish to remain in peace or go to war, it is likely that the events of the Revolutionary War would reemerge. Many supported the idea of isolation as they could stay away from the wars Europeans are waging across the globe and focus on reconstruction. American isolation had also been boosted due to the Atlantic Ocean, which separates America from the other parts of the globe. The Founding Fathers and the early American government only became involved in wars close to their coastlines as they believed America would not prosper if they became heavily involved with European politics. Americans had also agreed on the fact their isolation serves as their safeguard against Europe’s ire . Europeans mostly left America alone as they saw the country as a second-rate power that was behind Asia, Africa and the remaining parts of the Pacific.
However, despite the persistence of the state in remaining neutral or isolated from international affairs, there was already a growing movement within the United States pushing for the government to become involved with international affairs. These groups known as internationalists or interventionists believed that America should become involved with foreign affairs because the peace brought by isolation is only temporary. Isolationists argue that if they agreed to the position of these interventionists, the developments already happening in the country would only affect the country negatively. Interventionists countered this remark and stressed that America should help other countries experience the same freedom and rights they now cherish after the Revolutionary War. Regardless of the benefits interventionists also highlighted for America’s growth, America remained in isolation for almost half a century. George Washington, upon the end of his term in 1797, emphasized that he does not want the country to become involved in international politics and only on business .
Despite the fact America tried its best to stay away from international politics, it was visible they cannot escape from these conflicts and slowly became involved in international affairs. From the beginning of the 1800s, America’s borders were threatened by several foreigners. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 under President James Monroe was enacted around this period because most of America’s neighboring territories in South America should not be Europe’s colonies. The Doctrine also stressed that America would not stand idle should Europeans threaten the region that is under American control: North and South Americans and the Atlantic territories. A majority of the Europeans accepted the doctrine, but most of them only took because they have already accumulated enough power and influence across the globe. Nonetheless, the Doctrine was used by the US to support their wars such as in 1895’s Venezuela-British War and the 1907-1911 Latin American conflicts .
Intervention did not just end with the Monroe Doctrine as the Spanish-American War of 1898 had slowly weakened the isolationist stance of the state. The US managed to reclaim Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines from the Spaniards, setting up bases for future use. Even before they can return to isolation, the First World War struck in 1914. While the US stressed they would not interfere or enter the war, the country immediately retaliated when Germany successfully pressured the US to join the war. Americans had stressed it would be the war that would end all wars. The Americans were victorious alongside its fellow Allies – Great Britain and France, driving away Germany and its allies to surrender .
Despite their victory, however, Americans yet again became disenchanted over the war considering the substantial economic losses they had due to the First World War. Many Americans, upon asked by the US firm Gallup Poll, indicated that they would not support another World War and shot down the proposal of President Woodrow Wilson to establish the League of Nations. The US Congress had even passed a law that would restrict America’s involvement in any foreign war to supplying weapons in a “lend-lease” program . Although the country returned back to isolation, there was already a growing movement by the interventionists that isolationists were now contradicting their position when it came to the brewing tensions in Europe. There was also the criticism that these isolationists did not have a precise position when it comes to protecting the country’s national security. Eventually, many Americans began to question the isolationist movement .
The conflicting position of the United States towards international politics slowly broke away from its isolationist stance and into an interventionist stance when the attack in Pearl Harbor occurred in December 7, 1941. The attack killed 2,403 Americans and symbolized to the Americans that America has a definite role in international politics. President Franklin Roosevelt indicated that not only were the Americans entering the war for self-defense, but they were also fighting to solve international disputes. In his speech, Roosevelt declared America would help protect the Four Freedoms, which the Axis Powers (led by Germany) violated – speech, worship, want and fear – and help achieve peace. Throughout the Second World War, America did not only develop its economic and military power, but realized that they can help change the world and help in its recovery. Some even stressed that they were fighting a war to help affected nations in achieving their independence that they also fought for in the Revolutionary War. With the end of the Second World War, the ailing European nations turned to the United States for assistance and asked the country to aid in the recovery efforts . Although futher conflict transpired and challenged America, the Americans remained firm that it is their responsibility as a global power to help other nations achieve peace and democracy. Today, America’s foreign policy remains clear that it is fighting for freedom, democracy and peace across the world .
Looking back at America’s history, it is quite difficult to see a world without the United States at the helm of international politics. Although isolated from the world due to their trauma from the Revolutionary War, there have been instances that had shifted the belief of the Americans that they have a role outside the country. From the early wars fought under the Monroe Doctrine to the First World War, it was clear that America cannot just stand idle while America finds itself threatened through its borders by foreign powers. While the First World War had rekindled their trauma, many questioned if isolation is enough to protect the country. Eventually, some of America’s leaders realized that the country must stand up to lead against all oppressors. By the time the Americans joined the Second World War; America finally shed its isolationist belief and embraced its role as the world’s leader. If the United States did not break away from its isolationist belief, it would have been possible that the outcomes of the conflicts would mean further bloodshed and deaths.
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