The Realignment 509 | H.W. Brands: America First - Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh and the Long Shadow of WWII
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Oct 1, 2024 Historian H.W. Brands dives deep into the historical tug-of-war between interventionism and isolationism in American politics. He draws parallels between FDR's and Charles Lindbergh's clashing views on WWII and today's debates over Taiwan and Ukraine. Brands explores the roots of the 'America First' movement and discusses Lindbergh's complex legacy, revealing lessons on humility in politics. The conversation evolves into how historical narratives shape current foreign policy, warning against oversimplifying the past in today's context.
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1930s America First Origins
- In the mid-1930s, Americans broadly favored non-involvement in foreign wars due to disillusionment from WWI.
- The America First movement aimed to maintain U.S. neutrality and hemispheric defense without foreign entanglements.
Hemispheric Defense Concept
- America First advocates viewed the Western Hemisphere as a defensible geographic unit separate from Europe and Asia.
- They supported air power to defend the hemisphere but rejected intervention in European and Asian conflicts.
Lindbergh’s Celebrity and Tragedy
- Charles Lindbergh rose to fame as the first nonstop transatlantic aviator and became a worldwide celebrity.
- The tragic kidnapping and murder of his son deeply alienated Lindbergh from public life and media attention.