'''Isolationism''' is a pejorative term used by [[globalist]]s to refer to their opponents. Isolationism means avoiding entanglement in foreign conflicts, particularly foreign wars. In its most extreme form, isolationism calls for minimal dealings with foreign governments. This term is used primarily to smear those who advocate [[AmericaFirst]] First policies. Less biased terms are "non-interventionalist", or "peace through strength."
==United States==
* see [[{{See also|American foreign policy]]|}}
President [[George Washington]] called on Americans in his Farewell Address in 1796:
:"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.... we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies."
During the 1930s, the combination of the [[Great Depression]], the memory of tragic losses and a large [[national debt]] left over after World War I contributed to pushing American public opinion and policy towards the policy of isolationism. During this time, isolationists primarily advocated non-involvement in European and Asian conflicts and non-entanglement in international politics.<ref>[https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/american-isolationism#:~:text=During%20the%201930s%2C%20the%20combination,non%2Dentanglement%20in%20international%20politics. American Isolationism in the 1930s]</ref>
The U.S. had a policy of isolationism toward the Soviet Union (1918–33), and toward Communist China (1949–71).
The churches played a major role in the debates on the League of Nations. The mainline denominations, especially influenced by the [[Social Gospel]], provided strong support. Opposition came from [[Fundamentalist]] and Calvinist groups.
Most Americans who belonged to Dispensationalist Fundamentalists, Calvinists, German Lutheran , and Catholic churches opposed the League. Ethnicity played a role, as German Lutherans and German Catholics were especially hostile, as were Irish Catholics. There was some opposition from Methodist and Episcopalian ranks.
Dispensationalists denounced the League as fulfilling the prophecy of a final world empire and as a sign of "human pretensions of self-sufficiency" in thinking that they could prevent the sin of war without God's help. Although many Calvinists backed the Social Gospel and therefore the League, conservatives, including Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, and Christian Reformed, counter-argued that such a human endeavor to improve the world without a Christian core doomed it to failure. Furthermore, they lamented the lack of mission language in the League charter and warned against cooperating with non-Christian states on an equal plane. The Missouri Synod Lutherans argued against such Social Gospel endeavors because of their amillennialist bent and insistence on the separation of church and state. Conservative Methodists and Episcopalians found themselves in the minority within denominations that publicly endorsed the League of Nations but nonetheless derided it as dangerously socialist and too divorced from Christianity for success. Much of this rhetoric has reappeared in recent years in discussions of the United Nations.<ref>See Markku Ruotsila, ''The Origins of Christian Anti-Internationalism: Conservative Evangelicals and the League of Nations.'' (2008)</ref>
===1930s===
{{See also|Neutrality Act}}
Starting in 1933 with the [[World Economic Conference]], American public opinion and national policy was to minimize the risk of entering another war by isolationist laws, such as the Neutrality Laws. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], started in late 1937 to reverse the isolationist policies. When [[World War II]] began in late 1939, the U.S. was officially neutral but gave significant military aid to Britain, France, and China. It was only after the bombing of [[Pearl Harbor]] in December 1941 that the United States abandoned its isolationism and entered the war. See [[America First Committee]] for the 1940–41 debate on avoiding American entry into [[World War II]] in Europe.
===Cold War===
During World War II, the internationalist wing of the [[GOP ]] gained strength, as former isolationist [[Arthur Vandenberg]] switched sides.<ref>James A. Gazell, "Arthur H. Vandenberg, Internationalism, and the United Nations". ''Political Science Quarterly'' 1973 88(3): 375-394</ref> The Republicans controlled Congress when it approved the [[Truman Doctrine]] in 1947 and the [[Marshall Plan]] in 1948.
The leaders of the anti-isolationist or "internationalist" wing were [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] (president 1952-60), and [[Richard Nixon]] (president 1968-74). Conservative leader [[Barry Goldwater]] in 1964 rejected isolationism and called for an aggressive [[Rollback]] strategy to defeat Communism, a policy followed by [[Ronald Reagan]] (president 1980–88).
Meanwhile, isolationist sentiment grew in the Democratic party, largely in reaction to the failure of the [[Vietnam War]]. The chief spokesman was Senator [[George McGovern]], whose 1972 presidential campaign had the isolationist slogan, "Come Home America".
===NATO aggression and the Obama administration===
{{See also|Obama war crimes}}
The principles and commitments of [[interventionism]] stand in stark contrast to isolationism.
Article 5 of the NATO charter demands that "an attack against one is an attack against all." Any member can invoke Article 5. During the [[Obama administration]], the Obama regime was funding [[Kurdish]] fighters in [[Syria]], who in turn were staging cross-border attacks against [[Turkey]] with their American-funded weapons and training. Turkey, a member of NATO, could have invoked Article 5 to require all members of NATO to come to its aid.<ref>https://www.dw.com/en/how-natos-article-5-could-work-in-the-case-of-turkey/a-17983762</ref> Under such a circumstance, the United States would have been required to destroy its own ally, the Kurds, whom it armed and equipped, or alternatively, all NATO members could have been required to fight the Kurds main strategic ally and backer, the United States.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/03/31/erdogan-blasts-white-house-support-kurds/</ref>=== Growing trend of Americans favoring a more isolationist foreign policy === Consider the 2022 ''The Hill'' opinion article ''Republicans are the new isolationists; will US retreat from world stage?'':{{Cquote|The world is facing the most serious threat of nuclear confrontation since the Cuban missile crisis 60 years ago. At the same time, we’re seeing a growing isolationist movement in the U.S. The Republican Party has been taken over by Donald Trump and his army of right-wing populists. The [[GOP]] is becoming an isolationist party. It is no longer the party that embraces the bold foreign policy of [[Ronald Reagan]] or the Bushes. By more than two to one, Republicans endorse the view that “We should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate on problems here at home.” Only 30 percent of Republicans believe “It is best for the future of our country to be active in world affairs.”<ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3670801-republicans-are-the-new-isolationists-will-us-retreat-from-world-stage/ Republicans are the new isolationists; will US retreat from world stage?]</ref>}} Also: "Their initial data, collected by students conducting individual interviews, surprised Mutz: It found that American adults ages 18-30 tend to favor isolationist foreign policy, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum, when compared with Baby Boomers, aged 60+"...“At least for the last half of the 20th century, Americans 60 and older were more isolationist than younger adults,” says Mutz, the Samuel Stouffer Professor of Communication and Political Science and director of the Institute for the Study of Citizens and Politics at Penn. “But now things have reversed." - [https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/news/penn-students-research-which-americans-are-most-isolationist-and-it-may-not-be-who-you-think#:~:text=Their%20initial%20data%2C%20collected%20by,Baby%20Boomers%2C%20aged%2060%2B. Penn Students Research Which Americans Are Most Isolationist — and It May Not Be Who You Think] A 2023 article in the ''[[The Hill]]'' stated:{{Cquote|A few weeks ago, Rep. [[Matt Gaetz]] introduced an amendment to a defense funding bill prohibiting all military aid to Ukraine. 93 House Republicans voted in favor of the amendment... Nonetheless, with former President Trump leading the way, an isolationist faction of the Republican party in the House has doubled down on its “just say no” strategy. In July, Trump maintained that if elected again he would instantly bring the conflict to an end:“I would tell Zelensky, no more. You got to make a deal. I would tell Putin, if you don’t make a deal, we’re going to give him a lot … I will have the deal done in one day. One day.” When Vladimir Putin praised this statement, Trump replied, “Well, I like that he said that. Because that means what I’m saying is right.” The former president also ordered Republicans in Congress to oppose all aid to Ukraine “until the FBI, DOJ, and IRS hand over every scrap of evidence they have on the Biden Crime Family’s corrupt business dealings.” Any lawmaker who does not go along, Trump added, should expect a primary challenge in 2024.<ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4268543-the-tyranny-of-the-gop-isolationist-minority/ The tyranny of the GOP isolationist minority], The Hill, 2023</ref>}} As the American [[baby boom]]ers die off and lose power, the USA might become more isolationist.
==Asia==
==Switzerland==
Since 1815 Switzerland has conspicuously distanced itself from the international community. It remained neutral in all wars. It has rejected membership in the UN and participation in the European Economic Area treaty and UN peacekeeping operations; and it Switzerland remains outside the European Union. It remains one of the world's major banking centers, and serves as the neutral host of many international agencies and meetings.
This starkly isolationist posture is the product of Swiss direct democracy. Swiss voters have repeatedly voted on issues of international integration. In five of the six cases, they delivered a sharp rebuff to the international community and to their own government. One explanation focuses on the renewed linguistic cleavage between German speakers and French speakers. Also critical has been the desire to preserve a wide scope for Swiss direct democracy by rejecting binding international agreements. Finally, government campaign tactics have exacerbated popular opposition to international integration.<ref>Kris W. Kobach, "Spurn Thy Neighbour: Direct Democracy and Swiss Isolationism." ''West European Politics'' 1997 20(3): 185-211</ref>
== The British Empire ==
[[United Kingdom|The British Empire]] followed a policy of "Splendid Isolation" during the 19th century. Britain tried to stay out of any major alliances whilst also trying to maintain a balance of power in mainland [[Europe]] so as to avoid any dominant power arising to threaten their overseas territories or Britain itself. This policy ended in 1904 with the signing of the [[Entente Cordiale]] between Britain, [[France]] and the [[Russia]]
==See also==
* [[List of military strategies and concepts]]
==Further reading==
{{Nationalism}}
[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:DiplomacyInternational Relations]]
[[Category:Military Strategies and Concepts]]