Isolation

• What was the US foreign policy after 1919?

  It swiftly returned to isolationism.
• What did Wilson's failure to achieve agreement on the League of Nations indicate?

  It showed how far the administration differed from the rest of the governing class.
• What was a significant reaction within America after WW1?

  There was a reaction against the cost of US involvement in the war.
• What disapproval did Americans express regarding their allies at the Versailles peace talks?

  They disapproved of the perceived selfish, imperialistic behavior of America’s allies.
• What were the features of isolationism in the US during the 1920s and 1930s?

  • Economic Nationalism
  • Protection of the US economy
  • Distrust of bankers and big business
• What did the Fordney-McCumber Act of 1922 do?

  It introduced the highest import tariffs ever imposed by a US government.
• How did the Great Depression influence economic nationalism?

  It reinforced narrow economic nationalism and protectionism.
• What was the impact of the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act of 1930?

  It had a disastrous impact on world trade by deepening the Depression.
• What was American public opinion focused on during the Great Depression?

  It was more concerned with the domestic impact rather than events abroad.
• What was a factor influencing the isolationist trend in America?

  Distrust of bankers and big business was a significant factor.
• Who was appointed to investigate the armaments trade in 1934?

  Gerald Nye was appointed by the Senate.
• What did the Nye Committee's hearings reveal?

  They provided evidence of questionable practices in the munitions trade.
• What conclusion did many Americans draw about US entry into WW1?

  They believed it was driven by special interest groups seeking profit.
• What percentage of Americans felt that entry into WW1 had been a mistake?

  70% of Americans felt that way.
• What were the key provisions of the Neutrality Acts passed by Congress?

  1. First Neutrality Act (1935): Arms embargo against all sides in a war.
  2. Second Neutrality Act (1936): Prohibited war loans and credits.
  3. Third Neutrality Act (1937): Made travel on belligerent ships unlawful.
• What motivated Congress to pass the Neutrality Acts?

  Wilson's promises and the findings of the Nye Committee influenced Congress.
• What historical events influenced the First Neutrality Act?

  The memory of the Lusitania and Mussolini's attack on Ethiopia in 1935 influenced it.
• What did the Second Neutrality Act of 1936 prohibit?

  It prohibited war loans and credits to any belligerent party.
• What did the Third Neutrality Act of 1937 confirm?

  It confirmed the prohibition of travel on belligerent ships.
• How should American policy during this period be characterized?

  It would be misleading to describe it as exclusively isolationist.
• How was the US economy linked to international obligations during the isolationist period?

  • The US lent $10.35 billion to wartime allies.
  • High tariffs restricted allies' ability to repay debts.
  • Allies relied on reparations from Germany to pay off debts.
• What happened when Germany defaulted on reparations payments in 1923?

  The USA was forced to intervene during the occupation of the Ruhr.
• What plans did the USA institute to manage German reparations payments?

  The Dawes Plan in 1924 and the Young Plan in 1929 were instituted.
• How much did the USA invest in Germany to help repay war debts?

  $2.5 billion was invested in Germany.
• What was the impact of the collapse of the American economy after 1929?

  It undermined war debt repayments and most European economies.
• What was the purpose of the Washington Naval Conference in 1921?

  To limit expenditure on armaments, particularly naval armaments.
• What concerns motivated the Washington Naval Conference?

  Concerns about Japan’s increasingly powerful navy and its alliance with Britain.
• What were the results of the Washington Naval Conference?

  • A 10-year period without building capital ships.
  • A 5:5:3:1.75:1.75 ratio in capital ships for major powers.
  • The end of the Anglo-Japanese treaty.
• What did Britain accept at the Washington Naval Conference?

  Britain signed away its naval supremacy, accepting parity with the USA.
• How was the Washington Naval Conference significant in terms of arms limitation?

  It was the first international agreement on arms limitation convened by the USA.
• What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact signed in 1928?

  It was an agreement renouncing war, supported by 62 countries.
• What was a limitation of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

  There was no mechanism to enforce its provisions.
• What was the nature of American interest in Latin America during the 1920s?

  • US investment/economic interest estimated at $3.5 billion by 1929.
  • Some relaxation of military presence with troop withdrawals.
  • Goodwill tours and non-intervention in revolutions.
• When were troops withdrawn from Cuba and Santo Domingo?

  Troops were withdrawn in 1922 and 1924, respectively.
• What was President Hoover's approach to Latin America during his presidency?

  He made a goodwill tour of 11 Latin American countries and did not intervene in revolutions.
• What was President Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbour' policy in Latin America?

  It involved acceptance of Mexico's decision to nationalize foreign oil companies without military intervention.
• What was a significant result of Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbour' policy?

  There was no US military intervention despite lobbying from the US Standard Oil Company.