Isolationism is a political doctrine that seeks to minimize a nation's involvement in international affairs, particularly in military conflicts. During the period leading up to and during World War II, isolationists in the United States sought to keep the country out of the war and focused on domestic issues. Here is an overview of isolationism and its key proponents during this time: 1. **[[America First Committee (AFC)]]**: Established in September 1940, the America First Committee was the most prominent isolationist organization in the United States. It attracted a diverse membership, including politicians, business leaders, and average citizens who opposed U.S. intervention in the war. The committee disbanded shortly after the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]] in December 1941. 2. **[[Charles Lindbergh]]**: The famous aviator was a leading isolationist figure and a prominent member of the AFC. He believed that American security could be maintained through air power and that the United States should focus on defending its borders. Lindbergh was criticized for his [[antisemitism]] and pro-German, pro-[[Adolf Hitler]] views. 3. **Robert A. Taft**: A prominent conservative Republican senator, Taft was a strong advocate for non-interventionism before and during World War II. He opposed U.S. involvement in the war and criticized President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s administration for what he saw as an unnecessary interventionist foreign policy. 4. **Gerald P. Nye**: A Republican senator from North Dakota, Nye was a key figure in the isolationist movement. He chaired the Nye Committee, which investigated the role of American banks and businesses in [[World War I]] and alleged that they had profited from the conflict. This investigation contributed to the passage of the Neutrality Acts in the 1930s, which aimed to limit U.S. involvement in future wars. 5. **[[Father Charles Coughlin]]**: A controversial Roman Catholic priest and radio broadcaster, Coughlin was an influential isolationist during the 1930s. He used his radio show to criticize U.S. foreign policy, promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and express support for fascist leaders like [[Adolf Hitler]] and Benito Mussolini. Although isolationist sentiment was strong in the United States in the years leading up to World War II, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed public opinion dramatically, and the country soon joined the Allied Powers in their fight against the Axis. See also: [[World War II Timeline]]