During the 1930s, the American public was bent on isolationism. People believed that the United States had nothing to win and much to lose from becoming involved in foreign wars and conflict. Many people looked back to World War I, and argued that the marginal interests that the United States had in the conflict did not justify the number of casualties. Moreover, isolationists argued that the United States had enough problems dealing with the Great Depression.
This made it difficult for Roosevelt to implement certain policies, as he believed the United States needed to participate more actively in international affairs. His foreign policy was to participate in the world stage by placing pressure on aggressors in international conflicts. He was unable to change the minds of the isolationists until the attack on Pearl Harbor convinced some people of the soundness of his ideas.