Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Many Americans argue that an isolationist policy would be better for the United States, and they are not the first to do so. In the late 1930s, the America First Committee strongly opposed US involvement in European conflicts. But as history shows, neutrality and isolationism have never been options for the nation. The United States must maintain a limited but strategic presence around the world to protect the most vulnerable populations and to preserve freedom both at home and abroad.
For more information, visit the PolicyEd page here: policyed.org/unarchived/danger-american-isolationism/video
Additional resources:
Read “‘America First’ Then and Now,” by Kiron Skinner. Available here: hoover.org/research/america-first-then-and-now.
Watch “Projecting the Future of US Foreign Policy,” with Kiron Skinner. Available here: hoover.org/research/kiron-skinner-projecting-future-us-foreign-policy.
Read “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Populism, Isolationism, Nativism, and Protectionism,” by Condoleezza Rice. Available here:
bushcenter.org/publications/articles/2020/07/democracy-talks-condoleezza-rice-four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse.html.
Read “‘America First’ and a Road Not Taken,” by Jean McElwee Cannon. Available here: hoover.org/research/america-first-and-road-not-taken.
Watch “Why America Must Remain Engaged Abroad,” with H. R. McMaster. Available here: policyed.org/battlegrounds/why-america-must-remain-engaged-abroad/video.
Visit policyed.org to learn more.
- Subscribe to PolicyEd’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/PolicyEdSub
- Follow PolicyEd on Twitter: bit.ly/PolicyEdTwit
- Follow PolicyEd on Instagram: bit.ly/PolicyEdInsta
Many Americans argue that an isolationist policy would be better for the United States, and they are not the first to do so. In the late 1930s, the America First Committee strongly opposed US involvement in European conflicts. But as history shows, neutrality and isolationism have never been options for the nation. The United States must maintain a limited but strategic presence around the world to protect the most vulnerable populations and to preserve freedom both at home and abroad.
For more information, visit the PolicyEd page here: policyed.org/unarchived/danger-american-isolationism/video
Additional resources:
Read “‘America First’ Then and Now,” by Kiron Skinner. Available here: hoover.org/research/america-first-then-and-now.
Watch “Projecting the Future of US Foreign Policy,” with Kiron Skinner. Available here: hoover.org/research/kiron-skinner-projecting-future-us-foreign-policy.
Read “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Populism, Isolationism, Nativism, and Protectionism,” by Condoleezza Rice. Available here:
bushcenter.org/publications/articles/2020/07/democracy-talks-condoleezza-rice-four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse.html.
Read “‘America First’ and a Road Not Taken,” by Jean McElwee Cannon. Available here: hoover.org/research/america-first-and-road-not-taken.
Watch “Why America Must Remain Engaged Abroad,” with H. R. McMaster. Available here: policyed.org/battlegrounds/why-america-must-remain-engaged-abroad/video.
Visit policyed.org to learn more.
- Subscribe to PolicyEd’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/PolicyEdSub
- Follow PolicyEd on Twitter: bit.ly/PolicyEdTwit
- Follow PolicyEd on Instagram: bit.ly/PolicyEdInsta
