Explain The US Preference For Isolationism With Selective Unilateralism From The Founding To WWII?

Explain the US preference for isolationism with selective unilateralism from the founding to WWII, using the issues illustrated in the posted documents for this period in your discussion. The US foreign policy preference for isolationism can be traced directly back to the founding fathers. Washington’s Farewell Address of 1796 provides a good example of this thinking. In it, Washington warns the US not get involved with other nations. In particular he warns them to not entangle themselves within the affairs on the Continent. He wants the US to stay out of wars and conflicts, being primarily concerned with their own affairs. Washington also makes it clear that the US should be diligent about maintaining peaceful relationships with these countries. However, the US did not hesitate to follow a more unilateralist approach and get involved in conflicts, especially when their economic interests where threatened. This can clearly be seen in the 1812 Declaration of War with Great Britain. British
This is clearly demonstrated in Wilson’s Fourteen Points speech, during which he refers to the US as peace-loving nation who just wants to be able live its own life. The US’s interest in maintain this isolationist stance can also be clearly seen in the treaties it signed before the start of WWII. Shortly after the end of WWI, the US became involved in the Washington Naval Conference. Held in Washington D.C., the conference was an attempt to limit naval resources and prevent another world war. The conference resulted in the signage of several different treaties such as the Five-Power Treaty and the Nine-Power Treaty. After this came the Kellogg-Briand pact, which was essentially a declaration of no more war. It was another attempt to limit armaments and ensure that another world war would not occur. It was signed by the US and other nations, including Germany, Japan, Great Britain and