Question

What was the U.S. foreign policy toward Europe prior to WW2?

Answer 1

n the years after World War I Americans quickly reached the conclusion that their country's participation in that war had been a disastrous mistake, one which should never be repeated again. During the 1920s and 1930s, therefore, they pursued a number of strategies aimed at preventing war.

At first the major players in this effort were American peace societies, many of which were part of larger international movements. Their agenda called for large-scale disarmament and an international treaty to abolish war. Their efforts bore fruit, as 1922 saw the signing of a major agreement among the great powers to reduce their numbers of battleships. Six years later most of the world's nations signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, in which the signatories pledged never again to go to war with one another.

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http://edsitement.neh.gov/curriculum-unit/neutrality-war-united-states-and-europe-1921-1941

Answer 2

This is an incredibly vague question - to answer it fairly would take far more time and energy than I am able to commit. However:

To be brief, US foreign policy was largely isolationist after World War I. The US was weary of joining the League of Nations, something that US president Woodrow Wilson championed. To generalize the reason that the US did not join the League, it was concerned that membership would commit America and possibly American troops to regional European conflicts. Remember, World War I was hardly the first war in Europe - in fact, it was one of many. Many countries such as Germany and Italy were just then feeling a sense of unity and might, as they had only recently unified.

Furthermore, the American economic policy was of trade barriers. America committed to protecting infant industries through trade restrictions and tariffs. This was before the time of widespread American economic aid to developing countries.

Remember, World War I was called "the Great War" and "the War to End All Wars". it was viewed as horrific in casualties and destruction, and it caused the US to essentially close its doors to the rest of the world.

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The United States followed a policy of partial isolation after the war. Isolationism led the United States to shun membership in international organizations, such as the League of Nations and the World Court.