Final answer:
During the 1930s, the Great Depression focused American attention on domestic issues, resulting in an isolationist foreign policy characterized by the Neutrality Acts, which limited U.S. involvement in international conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reason for U.S. Isolation in the 1930s
The primary reason for the isolation of the United States in the 1930s was due to domestic concerns, particularly the Great Depression. The nation was deeply impacted by economic struggles, leading to a focus on internal recovery rather than international engagement. This context of economic hardship made isolationist policies more attractive to both policymakers and the general public.
The Neutrality Acts of the 1930s exemplified this isolationist trend by restricting American involvement in foreign conflicts. The U.S. Congress, influenced by the non-interventionist sentiment that prevailed after World War I and the findings of the Nye Committee, sought to prevent the circumstances that led to U.S. entry into the previous global conflict. The acts prohibited the sale of arms to belligerents and reinforced the nation's stance of non-involvement. Despite these laws, President Franklin Roosevelt understood the industrial capabilities of the United States and initially sought to aid the Allies indirectly through the sale of non-military goods under a 'cash-and-carry' policy.
Throughout the second half of the 1930s, U.S. foreign policy remained largely isolationist as the country dealt with economic difficulties and public opposition to war. The American response to the aggressive actions of totalitarian regimes in Europe echoed a desire to avoid repeating the perceived mistakes of World War I.