An Extroverted Introvert: The American History of Isolationism and Expansionism

     Being an ocean away from its European parents, America has long been an individualist, isolationist nation peopled by self-motivation and determination, yet a nation that was founded to oust external influence now is the most extroverted country in the world which is a complete reversal of its initial political stance.
     The first American president, George Washington, set the tone for American isolationism with his precedent of non-interference and, especially, his Farewell Address.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people under an efficient government. the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

This statement significantly impacted American foreign policy for over a century. The Monroe Doctrine officially stated this U.S. policy from 1823 until 1904.
     The United States, with its incredible ethnic and religious diversities, has always been divided on issues; however, since the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the 1780s over the Constitution, the "negative" side has always lost. No significant debate in American history has been won by a side that is "anti-" which explains the modern abortion debate labels of "pro-life" and "pro-choice." That said, American foreign policy has always brought domestic disagreement.
     Despite the war hawk nature of the American spirit, foreign policy remained stable until the late nineteenth century. As European nations began to colonize all parts of the world, some Americans feared being left technologically, economically, and militaristically behind the European states.
     From 1880-1904 the anti-expansionist cause fought American imperialist policy. These anti-expansionist "Mugwumps" fought against American claims on overseas territories such as the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). William McKinley's election to president in 1897 and the Spanish-American War in 1898 drained the anti-expansionists of a political voice. The Spanish-American war was America’s first interventionist war, and it set the tone for America’s foreign policy in the twentieth century.
     The Mugwumps's arguments against colonialism were defeated by the political precedent of America's Manifest Destiny - the century long process of continental expansion and settlement.

     As the long standing isolationist period fell to an imperial ideology, the war hawk blood lust of America faded as well. With the United States policing the Philippines in East Asia and the Banana Republics of Central America, the intensity, cost, and commitment of World War I deterred the general American population from entangling itself with the great European powers. It is fitting that World War I bloodied America's hands as Europe's, for one of the most feared warnings the Mugwumps had stated was that colonial expansionism would end America's militaristic innocence. These warnings were proved true in Cuba, the Philippines, Central America, and Europe - all within a decade.

     As World War I closed, America withdrew once again only to re-emerge in 1941 with a war spirit matched only by Stalin's U.S.S.R. The remainder of the twentieth century revealed how far America would stray from her isolationist roots to become bloodied in the involvement of "liberty" and "independence" around the world. Despite the incredible wealth, love of war, and history of expansion, America was never built to be a ruler nation. Her people's heart has always been isolationist, and her founding document, the Constitution, gives no reference to global involvement.
     America began as a small, independent nation that rejoiced in its separation from the warring countries of Europe. It conquered its whole continent in only a century but could not further restrain its greed for growth. Despite a divided people who wished to leave the world to its own problems, America bathed in the blood of a century to "police" half the world and "protect" lesser nations from the "evil" clutches of its Soviet competitor.
     Finally, after seventy years of war, a decade of fruitless struggle in the Middle East, and a stagnant economy, isolationist sentiment within the United States is growing again. Most Americans are happy to leave the world alone, but the political leaders, hungry for more power, seek to disrupt the "injustices" of the world and "liberate" by subjugation to the American military.
     As difficult as it is to see a people apart from its government, a country is more than its officials. The Islamic nations are undergoing "spring," Eastern Europe is struggling for an identity between the might of Western Europe and Russia, and the two richest nations, America and China, have populations that are happy to leave other nations alone. As diplomacy affects the globalized interconnections of all nations, do not despair that governments are corrupt and power hungry. The majority of people in the world are content with food and friendship, so go about your day with a smile and remember that whatever language or culture people have, life is a blessing.

 __    
Agatha Tyche