Key Question 3

How effectively did the U.S.A. promote its international interests during the years 1920-1952?

Did the U.S.A. follow a policy of isolation in the 1920s?

The U.S.A followed a policy of isolation in the 1920s by not allowing immigration, excluding not only Asian immigrants, but later some eastern Europeans. The US Senate also refused admittance in the League of Nations, despite President Wilson's insistence. This is because they did not want to be involved in European conflicts, after WW I, the devastation had been great, and they did not want to engage in wars that were no their own.

How successful was the U.S.A. as a "good neighbor" from 1933 to 1941?

The U.S.A was a "good neighbor" to Latin America, because under FDR, all of the American troops withdrew from the Caribbean. Also, the Platt Amendment was revoked. The Platt Amendment stated that the government of Cuba must allow the United States to be involved with their country. After this, the United States supported the Pan-American Conference Resolution, which indicated that no country had the right to intervene in foreign or internal affairs of another country.

Why did the U.S.A. go to war in 1941?

The U.S.A. went to war against Japan in 1941. This was due to the bombing of America's Pacific fleets in Pearl Harbor. They had avoided the war up until then, because Congress wanted to stay isolationist. Because of the bombing, the president now had a reason to officially join the war.