Isolationism
Far away from the Old World and separated by a vast ocean, the Americans created a new world and and a new society. Emotionally and mentally the Americans cut off all links with Europe with the emergence of the theme of cultural separation that pervaded American literature during the 19th century. This had deep psychological effects on the American outlook of life, and Americans diverted all their energies, thoughts, and ambition inward. The idea of progress settled deep in American thought and they combined this concept with pragmatism, out of which developed the concepts of individualism, freedom, free enterprise, and liberty. Thus, Americans rdccted the idea of polidcal and ecclesiastical

authoritarianism and saw the key to progress in science and its applications to human problems.

Isolationism, therefore, was not merely the desire to avoid foreign entan^ement. It was a much deeper phenomenon which reflected a habit of mind, a cluster of national attitudes, a feeling of spiritual separation from European countries, with roots penetrating deeply into the nation’s heritage and experience. The historical experience, the theme of building a great society within America, and the emphasis on preserving freedom of acdon at home all called for an isolationist foreign policy. George Washington stated in his “Farewell Address' “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world' and “ The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible". This is considered by many scholars as the theoretical root cause of American isolationism. In 1823, President James Monroe put forward the Monroe Doctrine, which opposed foreign intervention in the Western Hemisphere and regarding the Americas as American reserves, and Americans adopted isolationism as a philosophy of national charater.

The American Mission

Isolationism, the theory of progress, mounting success, and strong nationalist feelings created in the American mind a sense of pride and superiority: Americans were blessed and chosen by God, and they were entrusted with a mission to lead the world; they were to provide a model and guidance; they had the torch of enlightenment; the salvation of the world was to adopt the “American way of life”.

This sense of mission provided a basis for continuity for a new nation with no developed historic past, established a concept for the Americans to define the meaning of their life and institutions and set goals for their purpose and destination, and provided grounds to incorporate religion into new American ideology. It developed a deep belief that the American people were dcvincly designed for certain great achievements, and most Americans felt a concern and sympathy for foreign people who still suffered under tyrannical governments.

Such belief has had an important impact on United States foreign policy. Scientific and technological breakthroughs provided new inputs to the American sense of pride and confidence and enhanced its prestige abroad. All this made the Americans believe that dignity, faith, honor, prosperity and enli^itenment were bestowed on them by the will of God, and die American mission was to remodel the world into their pattern.

Manifest Destiny

It is a belief that the American people had the ri^ht and the duty to take land in North America from other people because this was God's plan. This phrase was used by journalises and politicians in the 19th century when US citizens moved across North America and the United States gained Texas, California, Oregon and Alaska.

Americans believed in the uniqueness of their country and its institutions, and to them the mission was the reflection of this uniqueness. The impact of moral superiority and the constant evocation of uniqueness led the American people, especially its leaders to embrace the doctrine of “manifest desdny".

Territorial expansion was accepted as part of the faith chat America's multiplying missions were manifestly destined to spread their republican institutions into Mexico and even Canada. The notion of manifest destiny justified and rationalized the expansionist course of American foreign policy in the 1840s. It reinforced the belief that Americans were a people choscn to spread across the continent

In fact, the idea of manifest destiny was an expression of exaggerated nationalism in American foreign policy. Eventually it was identified with the search for foreign markets and the potential desire to exercise a dominating military and ideological influence in world affairs.

Visions of National Greatness

By the end of the 19th century Americans had succumbed to the temptations of an assertively nationalist foreign policy — national greatness: crusading abroad would elevate the national charater, strengthen national unity, and challenge foreign powers hostile to the United States; greatness abroad would ^orify liberty at home, while liberty would sanctify greatness. A chosen people could lay claim to special rights and obligations, and the American pursuit of lofty ambitions abroad would serve to invigorate liberty at home while creating favorable conditions to spread it in foreign lands. A commercializing and later an industrializing economy created the potential for establishing an active foreign policy essential to dreams of international greatness.

Hierarchy of Race

In the structure of American race thinking, Anglo-Saxonism 一 the belief that Americans and the British were one people united by uncommon qualities and common interests — occupied a central position. The racial traits of both peoples, as they were defined, included industry, intelligence, a keen sense of moral purpose, and a talent for government. Together they stood preeminent in world afTairs.

The arrival of large numbers of foreign immigrants sharpened the sensidvidty to racial differences even within the circle of European whites. The ethnic Anglos were determined to preserve their cultural hegemony against alien newcomers, chiefly Irish and Germans, and there emerged a dear and fixed pecking order even for whites.

The Germans were pictured as latter-day Huns, prone to the aggressive, even brutal behavior charateristic of a militaristic and autocratic system.

The Slavs, half European and half Asiatic, of rugged peasant stock, had displayed great endurance, patience，and strength ( if not intelligent and a knack for innovation) as they had slowly but irresistibly extended their control over much of the Eurasian land mass.

The Latin peoples of Europe were defined to include the French as well as Italians and Spaniards. They lacked vigor, and they were sentimental, undisciplined, and superstitious. Consequently, they were of small account in international afiairs.

The Jews were put sdll farther back among the ranks of the unworthy. They were depicted in explicitly racial, and-semidc trems.

Farthest back were the peoples of Africa. TTiis dark continent began to emerge as the fascinating home of “savage beats and beastly savages”，and above all other places Africa invited white domination.