Primary Sources from the Interwar Neutrality Debate

Cartoonist Criticizes Neutrality 1935

Context: Although the idea of neutrality enjoyed broad public support in 1935, not everyone in the United States believed the country could simply legislate its way out of conflicts. Critics argued that the United States already had extensive commercial interests abroad that could draw the country into conflict whether it wished to remain neutral or not. Some of the sharpest commentary on neutrality at the time came from political cartoonists.

Cartoon showing a U.S. senator throwing up his hands in exasperation on top of a globe with U.S. ships and planes traveling around it — Not all commentators supported the turn toward neutrality. A 1935 cartoon by Herbert Block (known as "Herblock") depicts the attempt to avoid foreign entanglements as a futile effort: a senator throws up a hand attempting to block foreign involvement, but airplanes, ships, and American flags representing U.S. commercial interests already dot the globe. Source: Library of Congress.

To access the original "No foreign entanglements" political cartoon, visit the Library of Congress.