The America First Debate in Historical Context

The term 'America First' primarily evokes modern political sentiments, yet its origins lie in the pre-war debates around American involvement in World War II. In the 1930s, many Americans favored isolationism due to disillusionment from their previous commitment to World War I, which they believed did not secure democracy as President Wilson had promised. This skepticism towards foreign entanglements led Congress to pass neutrality laws to restrict presidential power in wartime decisions, reflecting a desire to maintain national focus on domestic issues amid the Great Depression. However, as threats from Adolf Hitler emerged, the public gradually shifted towards recognizing the need to confront foreign aggressions, leading to a complex discussion where the motivations behind intervention were debated intensely.