The Forming Of American Early Isolationism

Isolationism is one of the most important diplomatic traditions of the United States. In 1796, Gorge Washington brought forth the principles of isolation in his farewell address. The thought contains four aspects. First, Isolationism of the United States is not simply "closed-door" , but delineated American foreign policy towards other nations. Second, the early isolationism of the United States meant that the United States did not interfere the inner affairs and also it did not want European countries to interfere its own affairs. Third, the isolationism of the United States was a position towards Europe, for Latin America the United States treated it as its backyard. Four, isolationism is only a diplomatic means of the United States, not its purpose. The purpose of the isolationism during time of Washington was to pursuit a foreign policy of independence.The early isolationism of the United States was formed partly because of a favorable geological position of the United States. There are only oceans on its east and west side, and on its north and south side there are also no powerful countries. Localism and public opinion prevailing at that time also assisted the formation of the thought. At the very beginning of the founding of the United States, it was too weak to resist against the European powers, the only way it could do was to make full use of the conflicts and the situation of the balance between European countries and in this way to safeguard American independence.Localism, an idea of self-government, was popular in early America. The establishment of federal system and the passing of the Constitution of 1787 is the result of the compromise among the different states.The conflicts existed among states as well as among political parties in the early stage of the United States. Conflicts among parties and states, the idea of self-government and localism had an important impact on the formation of isolationismPublic opinion expresses wishes and ideas of citizens, it influenced the policy towards foreign affairs. Foreign policies became the common topic of public opinion at the same time and help the rise of early isolationism. Media, especially newspaper played a key role in that process.