Fdr Interventionist or Isolationist?
Was Franklin Roosevelt an interventionist, an isolationist or an internationalist? Discuss with reference to events between March 1933 and December 1941.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is an ideologically elusive figure; indeed as was swiftly evident it is impossible to pigeon hole him into any of these three convenient categories. Elements of all three views can be identified at various junctures of his presidency up to Pearl Harbor in the final weeks of 1941. This essay will argue that generally FDR was most accurately described as an internationalist. However, although this best describes his personal views throughout, the reality was much more complex. Roosevelt appeared to exhibit isolationist qualities during the early years of his presidency. The importance of American public opinion is considered as an important factory here in tempering Roosevelt’s views and limiting his available options. Domestic considerations in the early 1930s, particularly economic were also restricted the potential for an isolationist outlook. However, as the period progresses these restrictions become less significant and the internationalist outlook of FDR can often be seen expressed more freely due to changes in attitudes and events in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, there is also some evidence to suggest that Roosevelt’s attitudes changed over time, becoming more interventionist and it is this possibility which will be considered finally as he has been considered by some to have skilfully manipulated American public opinion in favour of war.
Franklin Roosevelt was certainly not an isolationist, yet there were some aspects – particularly in the early years of his premiership – where isolationist influences could certainly be identified. FDR did not intervene in either the Asian or European spheres of conflict until late on, after the defeat of France and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Indeed even after the fall of the French, Britain’s staunch defence in 1941 and the entry
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is an ideologically elusive figure; indeed as was swiftly evident it is impossible to pigeon hole him into any of these three convenient categories. Elements of all three views can be identified at various junctures of his presidency up to Pearl Harbor in the final weeks of 1941. This essay will argue that generally FDR was most accurately described as an internationalist. However, although this best describes his personal views throughout, the reality was much more complex. Roosevelt appeared to exhibit isolationist qualities during the early years of his presidency. The importance of American public opinion is considered as an important factory here in tempering Roosevelt’s views and limiting his available options. Domestic considerations in the early 1930s, particularly economic were also restricted the potential for an isolationist outlook. However, as the period progresses these restrictions become less significant and the internationalist outlook of FDR can often be seen expressed more freely due to changes in attitudes and events in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, there is also some evidence to suggest that Roosevelt’s attitudes changed over time, becoming more interventionist and it is this possibility which will be considered finally as he has been considered by some to have skilfully manipulated American public opinion in favour of war.
Franklin Roosevelt was certainly not an isolationist, yet there were some aspects – particularly in the early years of his premiership – where isolationist influences could certainly be identified. FDR did not intervene in either the Asian or European spheres of conflict until late on, after the defeat of France and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Indeed even after the fall of the French, Britain’s staunch defence in 1941 and the entry
Bibliography: Steven Casey, Cautious Crusade: Franklin D. Roosevelt, American Public Opinion, and the War against Nazi Germany (2001) Wayne S. Cole, Roosevelt and the Isolationists, 1932-45 (1983) Robert Dallek, Franklin D. Roosevelt and American Foreign Policy (1979; 1995) Robert A. Divine, Second Chance: The Triumph of Internationalism in America during World War II (1967) Akira Iriye, The Origins of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific (1987) David Reynolds, From Munich to Pearl Harbor (2001) John A. Thompson, “Another Look at the Downfall of ‘Fortress America,’” Journal of American Studies (1992) Emily S. Rosenberg, A Date Which Will Live: Pearl Harbor in American Memory (2003)