Difference between revisions of "Isolationism"
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| − | '''Isolationism''', in its most extreme form, is a foreign policy calling for minimal dealings with foreign governments. It usually means avoiding relations with certain disliked countries, and avoiding entanglements that might lead to war. | + | '''Isolationism''', in its most extreme form, is a foreign policy calling for minimal dealings with foreign governments. It usually means avoiding relations with certain disliked countries, and avoiding entanglements that might lead to war. |
| + | ==United States== | ||
| + | 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." | ||
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| + | The U.S. had a policy of isolationism toward the Soviet Union (1918-33), and toward Communist China (1949-71). | ||
See [[America First Committee]] for the 1940-41 debate on avoiding American entry into [[World War II]] in Europe. | See [[America First Committee]] for the 1940-41 debate on avoiding American entry into [[World War II]] in Europe. | ||
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| + | ==Asia== | ||
| + | [[History of Japan|Japan]] had a rigorously enforced policy that isolated the country from nearly all foreign contacts in the Tokugawa period (1603 – 1867). | ||
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| + | [[Korea]] was the "Hermit Kingdom" that largely cut itself off from all outside contacts until the 1880s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Today [[Burma]] (or Myanmar) and [[North Korea]] strictly limit contacts. North Korea, however, has an aggressive foreign policy that threatens its neighbors South Korea and Japan--and also the U.S.--with missiles and perhaps even nuclear weapons. | ||
[[Category:Political Terms]] | [[Category:Political Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Diplomacy]] | [[Category:Diplomacy]] | ||
Revision as of 01:26, August 22, 2009
Isolationism, in its most extreme form, is a foreign policy calling for minimal dealings with foreign governments. It usually means avoiding relations with certain disliked countries, and avoiding entanglements that might lead to war.
United States
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."
The U.S. had a policy of isolationism toward the Soviet Union (1918-33), and toward Communist China (1949-71).
See America First Committee for the 1940-41 debate on avoiding American entry into World War II in Europe.
Asia
Japan had a rigorously enforced policy that isolated the country from nearly all foreign contacts in the Tokugawa period (1603 – 1867).
Korea was the "Hermit Kingdom" that largely cut itself off from all outside contacts until the 1880s.
Today Burma (or Myanmar) and North Korea strictly limit contacts. North Korea, however, has an aggressive foreign policy that threatens its neighbors South Korea and Japan--and also the U.S.--with missiles and perhaps even nuclear weapons.