The United States is most commonly described as having pursued a policy of isolationism during the 1930s , especially in the years between World War I and World War II.

Core idea

  • In many history texts, when people ask “during which decade did the US pursue a policy of isolationism?”, the expected answer is the 1930s.
  • This is the period of the Neutrality Acts and strong public and political resistance to getting involved in new foreign wars, even as threats grew in Europe and Asia.

Brief context

  • After World War I, there was a broad reaction against entanglement in European affairs, leading to more inward-looking policies through the 1920s and peaking in the 1930s.
  • The Great Depression deepened this isolationist mood, as economic crisis pushed leaders and the public to prioritize domestic recovery and avoid expensive overseas commitments.

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