What Happens Next in 6 Minutes America First
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Jan 11, 2025 H.W. Brands, a historian and author of "America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War," delves into America's historical isolationism before World War II. He highlights the influential debate between Roosevelt and Lindbergh, discussing Lindbergh's arguments for staying out of foreign conflicts. Brands examines how public sentiment shaped foreign policy and reflects on today's political divides. He also makes connections to Trump's America First approach, exploring how past debates influence current foreign policy discussions.
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Post-WWI Isolationism
- America remained largely isolationist from its founding until WWI.
- Post-WWI, the US reverted to isolationism, disillusioned by the war's outcome.
Campaign Promises vs. War
- Wilson and Roosevelt campaigned on keeping the US out of war but ultimately led the country into WWI and WWII, respectively.
- This mirrors Trump's America First policy.
Bipartisan Isolationism
- Post-WWI, isolationism became bipartisan due to the perceived lack of benefits from US involvement.
- Democrats, split between urban liberals and Southern conservatives, were less interventionist overall.