"We are not isolationists except in so far as we seek to isolate ourselves from war. We do not cease to be concerned with the international problems of the world, nor do we lose our desire to help in their solution. But we are under no illusions as to the ease of that solution... We must keep ourselves free to offer our cooperation in the cause of peace, but we must avoid any alliances or commitments that would make us a party to foreign wars."
— President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address at Chautauqua, New York, August 14, 1936
Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the foreign policy approach outlined in the excerpt?
- ATo enforce a total withdrawal from international trade and global economic markets to prevent foreign entanglements
- BTo build a network of collective security agreements aimed at containing the expansion of communism in Eastern Europe
- To preserve the United States' freedom of action in international affairs while avoiding military alliances that could lead to warAnswer
- DTo establish a joint military alliance with Latin American nations to enforce the Monroe Doctrine through cooperative policing
Answer
To preserve the United States' freedom of action in international affairs while avoiding military alliances that could lead to war.
The correct option is correct because it accurately captures the essence of interwar U.S. foreign policy as unilateral engagement rather than absolute isolationism. In the excerpt, Roosevelt explicitly rejects the label of isolationist, asserting that the nation remains concerned with global problems and wishes to cooperate, but must avoid binding alliances or commitments that would compromise its freedom of action and potentially draw it into foreign conflicts.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Independent internationalism and unilateralism in interwar foreign policy