[November 13, 2016] The United States of America is an unusual nation in many ways; including a short and sometimes violent history, a strong belief in democracy, freedom, and liberty, and Judeo-Christian values. There was a time however that it was a nation that did not look beyond its borders and it explains why the government passed what is known as the Neutrality Act. Today, Americans reject the idea that they will stand aside while evil walks.
Since the early days of the 20th Century, citizens in the U.S. were reluctant to get involved in the foreign affairs of other nations and wary of using their military might. The late entry of the U.S. in World War I is an example where internal debate slowed their entry into that major conflict.
In 1935, during a particular isolationist mood and on the eve of war in Europe, the U.S. Congress passed the Neutrality Act. The act forbade the sale of munitions by U.S. firms to any and all belligerents in any future war.1 American political leadership was sending a firm, clear message that they would not play a part in any foreign wars. In 1937 the law was made even more restrictive.
Those that believe that our political leadership was representing it citizens might be a mistake. Americans have always abhorred evil and were willing to personally intervene to make a difference. Those laws began to change in 1939 when U.S. President Roosevelt proclaimed that any hostile power using its territorial waters would be considered “unfriendly.”
On this date, November 13th in 1941, the U.S. Congress amended the Neutrality Act to allow American merchant ships access to war zones and putting them in the line of fire. Since World War II that saw a major intervention by the U.S., and the horrors of aggressive nations, both the political leadership and its citizens have been willing to get involved.
That changed during the military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and cleared the way for the election of President Obama. Americans have since seen the world growing more violent, repressive, and dangerous. Pulling back did not work. You can walk the streets and tell by talking to anyone that they see the U.S. on the wrong track and the safety being at risk. That is why Americans reject neutrality.
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