Isolationism

Isolationism.

• The US wanted to be alone.

Industries:

- Due to the prospering industries after World War 1, American businesses became afraid for their well-being. With the threat of cheap European imports becoming more popular than their own more expensive American products.
- The European imports were cheaper because, at this time, European workers were willing to work for lower wages because of high unemployment in European countries.
- Businessmen were worried about American companies losing money; lack of American jobs and lower taxes for the government.

Immigration:

- President Harding put through many measures in order to tighten immigration control.
- The majority of people in favour of closing the open borders were the White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs).
- They were increasingly worried by the number of Asain, Catholic and Jewish people entering the country.
- Also thinking that people such as anarchists and communists were coming to live in the US and tarnishing the basis of American life.

This was a worrying and uncertain time for many Americans. Europe had many problems, whereas the US had relatively few. Limiting imports and tightening immigration was the US' solution to securing peace and success.