isolationism

isolationism
/uy'seuh lay"sheuh niz'euhm, is'euh-/, n.
the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.
[1920-25, Amer.; ISOLATION + -ISM]

* * *

National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries.

Isolationism has been a recurrent theme in U.S. history. It was given expression in the Farewell Address of Pres. George Washington and in the early 19th-century Monroe Doctrine. The term is most often applied to the political atmosphere in the U.S. in the 1930s. The failure of Pres. Woodrow Wilson's internationalism, liberal opposition to war as an instrument of policy, and the rigours of the Great Depression were among the reasons for Americans' reluctance to concern themselves with the growth of fascism in Europe. The Johnson Act (1934) and the Neutrality acts (1935) effectively prevented economic or military aid to any country involved in the European disputes that were to escalate into World War II. U.S. isolationism encouraged the British in their policy of appeasement and contributed to French paralysis in the face of the growing threat posed by Nazi Germany. See also neutrality.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Isolationism — is a foreign policy which combines a non interventionist military policy and a political policy of economic nationalism (protectionism). In other words, it asserts both of the following:#Non interventionism – Political rulers should avoid… …   Wikipedia

  • isolationism — i‧so‧la‧tion‧is‧m [ˌaɪsəˈleɪʆnɪzm] noun [uncountable] the belief that your country should not be involved in the affairs of other countries: • 1853 saw the end of Japanese isolationism. isolationist adjective : • isolationist policies… …   Financial and business terms

  • isolationism — i so*la tion*ism ([imac] s[ o]*l[=a] sh[u^]n*[i^]z m), n. [Cf. F. isolation.] The doctrine or policy of minimal participation by one s country in international economic and political relations, specifically by not entering into alliances or other …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • isolationism — ► NOUN ▪ a policy of remaining apart from the political affairs of other countries. DERIVATIVES isolationist noun …   English terms dictionary

  • isolationism — [[t]a͟ɪsəle͟ɪʃənɪzəm[/t]] N UNCOUNT If you refer to isolationism, you are referring to a country s policy of avoiding close relationships with other countries and of not taking sides in disputes between other countries. ...the perils of… …   English dictionary

  • isolationism — noun /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəm/ A national (or group) policy of non interaction with other nations (or groups). Before contact was initiated by the West, China employed isolationism in their policies. See Also: isolationist …   Wiktionary

  • Isolationism (album) — Infobox Album Name = Ambient 4: Isolationism Type = compilation Longtype = Artist = Various artists Released = 1994 Recorded = Genre = Ambient Length = Label = Virgin Producer = Reviews = Last album = This album = Next album = Ambient 4:… …   Wikipedia

  • isolationism — noun Date: 1922 a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international political and economic relations • isolationist noun or adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • isolationism — In aesthetics, the view that a work of art should be taken in isolation, understood entirely in its own terms and without reference to external factors such as its place in a tradition, or the social circumstances in which it is set, or the life… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • isolationism — Synonyms and related words: Eisenhower Doctrine, Jim Crow, Monroe Doctrine, Nixon Doctrine, Truman Doctrine, apartheid, apartness, appeasement, balance of power, brinkmanship, capitalism, coexistence, colonialism, compromise, containment,… …   Moby Thesaurus

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”