U.S. Isolationism and Foreign Policies Quiz

Isolationism and International Policies

• Isolationism refers to a policy of nonparticipation in international economic and political relations.
• The Washington Conference (1921) aimed to limit naval arms among the U.S., Britain, and Japan while ensuring respect for China's independence.
• The Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) was an agreement among major nations to renounce aggressive war, using it only for self-defense.

Key Figures in U.S. Foreign Policy

• Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State under President Harding, advocated for naval parity among the U.S., Britain, and Japan with a ratio of 5:5:3 in battleships.
• Charles Dawes served as head of the Bureau of the Budget, transforming a budget deficit into a surplus by cutting spending.
• Henry Stimson, Secretary of War during WWII, oversaw military training and logistics, including the development and deployment of the atomic bomb.

Political and Economic Developments

• The Fordney-McCumber Act raised tariffs, affecting European nations' ability to repay WWI debts and shielded U.S. industry from foreign competition.
• The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934 reversed high tariffs to stimulate American exports during the Great Depression.
• Franklin Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor Policy" fostered goodwill in Latin America, emphasizing cooperation and assistance.

International Relations and WWII

• The Soviet-American Alliance formed during WWII emphasized economic cooperation while maintaining isolationist political stances.
• The Neutrality Acts (1936-1937) restricted American involvement in foreign conflicts by prohibiting shipments of weapons and extending credit to belligerents.
• The Cash and Carry Policy (1939) permitted warring nations to purchase U.S. goods as long as they paid cash and transported the items themselves, benefiting the Allies.

Fascism and Authoritarianism

• The Fascist Party, established by Benito Mussolini, promoted aggressive nationalism and created a dictatorship in Italy from 1922 to 1943.
• The National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) emerged post-WWI, advocating for a totalitarian regime under Adolf Hitler, which led to Germany's rearmament and the onset of WWII.

Legal and Judicial Framework

• The World Court was established to resolve disputes between United Nations member nations.
• Gerald Nye led Senate hearings (1934) criticizing World War I munitions manufacturers as "merchants of death," influencing public sentiment against military involvement.

Other Significant Terms

• The "Axis" refers to the military alliance formed by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.
• "Quarantine" denotes measures taken to isolate populations, places, or vessels to prevent the spread of disease or conflict.

Test your knowledge on U.S. isolationism and international policies from the early 20th century. Explore key agreements like the Kellogg-Briand Pact and important figures such as Charles Evans Hughes and Henry Stimson. This quiz will challenge your understanding of political and economic developments during this period.