Description
Written over a thirty-year period, the essays included on this volume develop one central theme: the completion of American isolationism in the formative years of the nation. Isolationism, in Kaplan’s view, isn’t to be taken as economic or cultural independence but as abstention from political or military obligations to Europe, from alliances or from purposeful entanglement in the European balance of power. This study specializes in the assertion that Thomas Jefferson used to be central to the making of American foreign policy from the Revolution to 1803. But Kaplan’s view isn’t all the time supportive of Jefferson. If truth be told, Kaplan believes the collection has a “Hamiltonian flavor,” even if he does not necessarily believe himself a Hamiltonian either. Kaplan is critical of Jefferson and points clearly to the error of his belief that France can be a counterweight to British power. In the short run Hamilton appears more realistic, but in the end Jefferson’s vision for the country proved wiser and sounder.