Final answer:
President Roosevelt's recognition of the risks of international anarchy led the U.S. from isolationism to global leadership. His policies evolved from nonintervention to the initiation of the United Nations, setting the stage for a post-war world order focused on peace, stability, and free trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Roosevelt and the Global Stage
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's recognition of the interdependence of nations led to significant changes in U.S. foreign policy as the nation faced the rising tide of global conflict leading up to and during World War II. He understood the risks of international anarchy and, despite initial isolationist tendencies within the United States, he saw the necessity of involvement in international efforts to maintain stability and peace. Roosevelt's actions evolved from limited assistance to European allies through the Lend-Lease Act to full-scale involvement after the attack on Pearl Harbor, which thrust the United States into World War II.
His foresight also influenced post-war efforts to create a new, more effective system of international cooperation, leading to the establishment of the United Nations. With the end of World War II, the U.S. played a crucial role in creating a new world order that focused on free trade and the prevention of future conflicts on a global scale.
Isolationist tendencies were challenged by the pressing need to support allies and ultimately by the unavoidable reality of direct attack, redefining U.S. policy towards greater global engagement. The transition from the discredited League of Nations to the United Nations marked a significant shift in America's approach to international relations, from skepticism to leadership in the pursuit of a stable global community. The eventual crumbling of colonial empires and the victory of free trade principles exemplified the long-term outcomes of Roosevelt's policies.