Final answer:
Americans who opposed US internationalism ranged from early American leaders like Washington and Jefferson to 20th-century politicians like Jesse Helms and the Pauls. They advocated isolationism for reasons such as avoiding European conflicts, maintaining national sovereignty, and focusing on domestic issues. These sentiments persisted across various periods and reflected a long-standing tradition of skepticism towards foreign entanglements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who were opposed to the idea of the US moving towards internationalism held diverse views and came from various periods in American history. During the period leading up to and including World War I, figures such as Representative Rankin, notable Americans like Henry Ford, and socialists pointed to reasons such as the belief that the conflict was a European issue, a reluctance to side with the British, and concerns over war profiteering as reasons to maintain neutrality. In the post-World War I era and during the Cold War, isolationism gained traction with prominent figures like Senator Jesse Helms, Congressman Ron Paul, and his son Senator Rand Paul advocating for a non-interventionist stance, emphasizing focus on domestic issues over foreign entanglements. Isolationist sentiments extended back to the nation's founding with leaders like Thomas Jefferson and President George Washington advising against 'entangling alliances'.
These isolationist traditions persisted into the 1920s and 1930s, despite contrary views from some Americans, as the majority pursued to keep out of European affairs. In reaction to globalization and international treaties, critiques ranged from allegations of undemocratic procedures, as seen in the protests against the World Trade Organization, to fears over excessive governmental power and military involvement abroad. This mixed bag of opposition reveals that throughout different eras, a significant number of Americans have held a suspicion of international alliances and engagements.