How did America's isolationist policy come about?

Isolationism refers to a long-standing policy proposition and ideological trend in the history of American diplomacy. It originated from the early diplomacy before and after the American War of Independence, and once prevailed in the United States in the 20th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, isolationism was weakened once, but it rose again and reached its peak in 1930s, that is, the so-called "traditional isolationism" or "old isolationism" stage. After the Second World War, due to specific historical conditions, a new isolationism appeared, which is both related and different from the traditional isolationism. To sum up, isolationism, as a policy proposition, is to safeguard and expand the interests of the United States by avoiding the alliance of political and military obligations to foreign countries as much as possible, focusing on politics, military affairs and diplomacy, without restricting economic and cultural contacts with the outside world. In fact, it is a means for the American ruling group to carry out the expansion policy under certain conditions. Isolationism has always existed in American diplomacy and has influenced American diplomatic activities since the founding of the People's Republic of China to a considerable extent. In the 1930s, the spread of isolationism and the adoption of the so-called "neutral" stance in foreign policy not only endangered peace, but also harmed America's own interests. The outbreak of World War II, especially the Pearl Harbor incident, finally bankrupt the traditional isolationist trend of thought in American foreign policy. The isolationist policy of the United States was formed in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and later became a foreign policy advocated by the United States for a long time. This policy aims to prevent the United States from falling into European affairs, so that the United States, which was in a weak position at that time, could survive and develop in an international environment with many powerful countries. Isolationism is not a defensive policy of closing the country. Through this policy, the United States tries to stabilize the domestic environment, concentrate on its own economic construction, and then develop foreign trade, expand its territory and enhance its national strength. In fact, America's isolationist foreign policy has never been completely isolated from the outside world. 1On September 7th, 796, American President Washington expounded the principle of isolationism in his farewell speech announcing his retirement from politics: "Our criterion for dealing with major foreign behaviors is to expand our commercial relations, and at the same time, we should have as little political involvement with them as possible." The isolationist foreign policy of the United States is completely different economically and politically. After the victory of the War of Independence, the United States still faces many external threats. European powers are eyeing this newly independent country, and the United States is not equal to the powers in national strength. At that time, the primary goal of the United States was to stabilize domestic politics and strengthen economic construction. In order to prevent the changes in the balance of power in Europe and the conflicts it brings from harming the development of the United States, Washington opposes interweaving the fate of the United States with any part of Europe, so that our peace and prosperity will fall into the trap of European ambitions, conflicts, interests, emotions or capriciousness. Therefore, isolationism politically advocates not forming an alliance with any country (mainly European powers), not being involved in disputes among powers, and handling international affairs completely independently, which has won the United States a peaceful international economic construction environment for 30 years. The isolationist foreign policy of the United States is completely different from political self-isolation, and advocates actively developing ties with other countries in the world and expanding commercial trade. The United States implemented Monroe Doctrine in Latin America, opened its doors to the United States, and further strengthened its foreign trade. At the same time, the peaceful environment brought by isolationism has attracted a large number of foreign immigrants, greatly supplemented the labor resources of the United States and greatly improved the productivity level of the United States. Using the neutral trade developed in the European War, it maintained and promoted the development of commercial capital, made the American economy move towards modernization steadily and quickly, and became the first power in the world in World War I. It can be said that the successful economic strategy of isolationism laid the foundation for the future development of the United States and provided conditions for the future territorial expansion and national strength enhancement of the United States. Isolationism pursues the policy of mainland expansion in diplomacy. At the beginning of independence, the United States adopted an isolation policy towards European countries, and at the same time skillfully used the contradictions of European countries to implement its territorial expansion plan. 1803, the United States acquired the whole Louisiana at a very small cost, and doubled the territory of the United States at once. By the time the territory of the United States was fully formed, it was 10 times that of the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The rapid expansion of American territory has gradually broken the encirclement of European forces and provided conditions for the United States to embark on the development path of a superpower. In a word, isolationism is a successful and wise choice for the United States, which was in a weak position in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It won the development time and expanded the space for New America, and laid an important foundation for the steady and rapid development of the United States in the middle and late19th century.