- Many immigrants from European nations had immigrated to the United States within the past fifty years. They maintained cultural ties to their homelands and did not want to see the nation become embroiled in a European conflict.
- For example, many Americans were Irish-American and opposed going to war against the British to help the French, Britain's long-time rival.
War Weariness Following World War I
- The United States had sustained over 100,000 casualties during World War I. Many Americans felt the cost was not worth it and opposed future involvement in foreign conflicts.
Economic Prosperity
- The American economy was booming during the 1920s. The country had become the world's leading industrial power and was largely unaffected by the war in Europe. Many Americans felt that the nation should focus on its own economic interests rather than getting involved in foreign conflicts.
Isolationist Laws and Policies
- In the 1920s, the US passed several pieces of legislation and developed policies that reflected the country's isolationist sentiments:
- The Immigration Act of 1924 was passed in response to concerns that immigrants were taking jobs from Americans and disrupting the American way of life. It established quotas on the number of immigrants allowed from each country, favoring Northern and Western European nations over Southern and Eastern European nations.
- The Neutrality Act of 1935 prevented the US from selling arms or lending money to nations at war. It also prohibited American citizens from traveling on the ships of belligerent nations, lest they be attacked by submarines.
General Distrust of European Nations
- Following World War I, there was a general sense among many Americans that European nations were untrustworthy and that America would be better off focusing on its own affairs rather than getting involved in their disputes.
Historical Precedent
- America had traditionally followed an isolationist foreign policy, only getting involved in foreign wars when directly attacked or its interests were immediately threatened.
A Belief that World War I Was a European Conflict That Did Not Concern the US
- Many Americans believed that World War I was a purely European conflict that had no bearing on the interests of the United States.
A Concern that International Involvement Would Hinder Domestic Progress
- Many Americans were concerned that participating in foreign wars would divert resources and attention away from solving pressing domestic issues such as poverty and unemployment.