Final answer:
In the 1920s, U.S. foreign policy was marked by isolationism, with Americans seeking to avoid international conflicts post-World War I. The government enacted policies aligning with this sentiment, limiting foreign involvement while still engaging in selective trade practices, reflecting the nation's desire to remain autonomous.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explanation of Foreign Policy in the 1920s
The foreign policy of the 1920s in the United States was characterized by a prevailing sentiment of isolationism. Following the devastation of World War I, Americans desired to avoid entanglements that could draw the nation into foreign conflicts. The isolationist tradition was entrenched in the desire to preserve America's autonomy on the world stage. Despite this, the U.S. maintained a presence in Western Hemisphere affairs but shied away from European commitments.
Government policies reflected this isolationist mood through acts such as the establishment of immigration quotas and high tariffs, aimed at protecting domestic interests over foreign involvement. The Harding administration focused on policies that attempted to normalize postwar relations, while pursuing economic interests indirectly through loans and trade, mainly favoring Allied nations due to practical trade restrictions imposed by the British blockade.
Americans were interested in isolation due to a desire to focus on domestic issues, recover from World War I, and maintain their independence. Government policies reflected this sentiment through acts like the Immigration Act of 1924, which limited immigration, and the Tariff Act of 1922, which imposed high tariffs on imported goods to protect American industry.