Explaining US Isolationism:Major Factors At Play During "Three Isolationistic Periods"

Isolationism is one of the most important traditional foreign policies of the United States.The development of isolationism is undulating and has gone through such development phases as the emergence,prevalence,climax and recession.Under different historical periods,the manifestation varies.It is adopted as the country's diplomatic strategy,or a foreign policy,or a diplomatic strategy;however,as a political culture,isolationism always exists in the history of American development.This paper analyzes the factors influencing isolationism in early times,1920s-1930s as well as during Trump Administration.It compares these factors in different historical periods and provides the characteristics of each period,so as to deepen an understanding of the isolationistic influence on American diplomacy.The birth of early isolationism constitutes a series of political,economic,social and religious factors.Puritanism has always been considered the essence of American culture,thus playing an extremely important role for the formation of the early American isolationism.Advantaged geographical position has an indispensable role in the formation;the political reality of colonial America government is the main root;the development of the commercial capital brings along the business spirit,expansionist sentiments and the isolationist thoughts,all combined to provide suitable climate and fertile soil for the isolationist foreign policy in the United States.The factors contributing to the prevalence of isolationism in the 1920s-1930s include the influence of anti-war masterpieces and relevant anti-war sentiments upon all walks of life.Meanwhile the Great Depression fosters political isolationism and economic protectionism.Refusing to undertake international task for multiple times,and adhering to the principles of isolationism,the US to some degree helped the bolder fascists.Additionally,in the first ten years of Roosevelt Administration,it is a period for the revival of the congressional power,the isolationists in the congress became effective balance for the administrative branch,which leads to the development of isolationism in the nation.The trend of isolationism in the United States during Trump Administration is closely related to the imbalance of economic globalization,the uneven distribution of domestic economic interests,the change of population structure and the increase of domestic challenges in the United States.