A British journalist, Sydney Brooks, writing in the North American Review, gauged America to be just as isolationist as ever. And why not, he asked? "The United States is remote, unconquerable, huge, without hostile neighbors or any neighbors at all of anything like her own strength, and lives exempt in an almost unvexed tranquility from the contentions and animosities and the ceaseless pressure and counter-pressure that distract the close-packed older world." While easy in concept, neutrality in
In "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," author Erik Larson explores America's persistent isolationism through the observations of British journalist Sydney Brooks. Brooks argues that the United States, owing to its vast size, geographical advantages, and lack of strong neighboring adversaries, exists in a state of tranquility, untouched by the conflicts that plague Europe. This sense of remoteness fuels America's reluctance to engage in global disputes, emphasizing how isolationism is deeply ingrained in the nation's identity.
Brooks highlights that America’s position enables it to remain detached from the relentless politics and struggles affecting older, densely populated regions. The idea of neutrality, while seemingly straightforward, becomes complicated in the face of evolving global dynamics and the threats they pose. Larson's narrative draws attention to the broader implications of such isolationism during pivotal historical moments, encapsulating the tension between American ideals and the reality of international engagement.
