By Art Da Rosa
The interview between Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson sparked a discussion about American First versus Isolationism. Rather than who was right and who was wrong, I would much rather retell the history of these two concepts.
Progressive Era
These two terminologies were coined in the 1910s. The POTUS was Woodrow Wilson, a Progressive Democrat and former president of Princeton University. Wilson had a PhD in history, and he ushered in the Progressive Era.
At that time, the Congress was dominated by Republicans with the attitude that they were elected by the People and would follow the Constitution. The Progressive had a different idea. They believed that they should do more for the world, the entire world, and not just America. To accomplish this goal, Wilson decided to change the narrative.
America First
The United States was a powerful nation at the time, but the power centers, superpowers if you prefer to call them. These were England, France, and the emerging Germany. The Ottoman Empire had receded, and there were big discussions on energy, resources, tariffs, treaties, and especially world markets.
Note that these questions were disguised as human rights, equity, and progress. Note further that trade or commerce was practiced much differently then. They were not free. It was set, demanded, and imposed on an international level. For example, the Opium War was fought over the right of one country to extract resources from another and sell them to a third.
In other words, the idea of Progressivism or Liberalism was very much alive and well even a century ago.
Most of America had a different view. We believed in free trade. We also believed that since commerce required international treaties (at that time), these treaties would need to benefit us first. For example, if we were to have a treaty with another country for them to buy our cotton, petroleum, and wheat, we wouldn’t be required to buy from them their wine, tea, other goods, or whatever product they want to dump on us.
This idea of protecting our rights was very much the attitude of America. It was called America First. This term existed a long time ago. It was forgotten until recently.
Isolationism
Woodrow Wilson wanted America to participate in world affairs. To fight for progress, equity, and human rights. Much of the world, including the Third World Countries, needed to be brought to their understanding of how things ought to be done.
Standing on their way were the Constitution and the America First concept. These prevented Wilson from entering into treaties and muddling with world affairs. So, he coined the term Isolationism for our nation.
He won. The term stuck. Today, we believe that we were isolationists. Instead, we were merely considering the rights of our nation before others.
Cruz vs Carlson
I like them both. They are patriotic and they love America. As I listened to their debate (or interview), the difference in the two views of America First and Isolationism came screaming to my face. Understanding history brings clarity to their views and where we are today.
About Art da Rosa
Art is a husband, father, and grandfather who escaped the Cultural Revolution of Communist China to become a proud American citizen. A civil engineer and public servant, he now teaches the Constitution in Pocatello and aims to defend freedom and restore moral clarity.
