The Great Rule of American Statecraft - Isolationism

During its early years and decades, the united states did not have the wherewithal to engage in great power politics. But for two different reasons, i think isolationism was not just about the nation's youthfulness and early weakness. The other point i would make is that the united states took off as a serious economic heavy weight after the civil war. It none the less, continued its isolationist career right up until the end of the nineteenth century.