American isolationism: 1789-1941

The United States of America is an isolationist nation; isolationist sentiment can be found throughout the development of the country and through its survival and revival following entanglements in foreign conflicts. The theme of isolationism, as presented in this thesis, will take on the depiction of isolationism throughout the history of American foreign policy; defined as: limiting international involvement by avoiding military alliances, foreign entanglements, and interference with wars that have no direct effect on the nation and devoting the entire effort of the government to the advancement of its people and nation. The purpose of this thesis will be to uncover the pattern of isolationist ideologies that have existed throughout the history of isolationism in America, challenging the notion that the country has merely had isolationist movements throughout its long history. To do so, this thesis will present a series of milestones that reflect the United States as an isolationist nation and prove that isolationism was a constant and predominant force throughout American history.