Until the attack on Pearl Harbor, isolationism was an important, even dominant strand in U.S. politics. After the Second World War, this strand disappeared, smothered by the widespread and bipartisan conviction that the United States needed to stay engaged with the world to prevent future crises.

The quote "Until the attack on Pearl Harbor, isolationism was an important, even dominant strand in U.S. politics. After the Second World War, this strand disappeared, smothered by the widespread and bipartisan conviction that the United States needed to stay engaged with the world to prevent future crises" by Anne Applebaum explores the shift in U.S. foreign policy before and after World War II. Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, isolationism was a dominant viewpoint in American politics, where many believed that the United States should avoid getting involved in international conflicts and focus on domestic issues.

Applebaum highlights that after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which directly brought the U.S. into World War II, the country’s approach to foreign policy dramatically changed. The attack forced a reevaluation of isolationism, as the country recognized the need to engage with the world in order to prevent future global threats. This shift marked the beginning of a new era where the U.S. took a more active role in international politics, particularly through alliances and participation in global institutions like the United Nations.

The phrase "this strand disappeared" signifies how isolationism was increasingly seen as an outdated and impractical approach to foreign policy after the Second World War. The widespread belief that the United States needed to stay involved in global affairs to safeguard its own security and avoid crises like the rise of totalitarian regimes or another world war became a bipartisan stance, transcending political divisions.

Ultimately, Applebaum’s quote reflects the transformation of U.S. foreign policy from one of isolationism to international engagement. This shift was driven by the recognition that in a rapidly changing world, the United States could no longer afford to be detached from global events and must remain involved to protect its interests and contribute to global stability.