In the 19th century, America's foreign policy was predominantly isolationist, characterized by a deliberate inactivity toward foreign powers. The nation focused inward, engrossed in the pursuit of her Manifest Destiny and the building of a robust national identity, generally avoiding entanglements in international affairs. However, with the dawn of the 20th century, powerful forces began to shift this stance. The First World War became the pivotal event that ultimately propelled America onto the global stage, compelling her to abandon lingering isolationist tendencies. Initially committed to neutrality, America was drawn into the conflict in 1917 under President Woodrow Wilson, who transformed from an isolationist to an internationalist, advocating for the League of Nations. This marked a significant departure from isolationism, as America began to see herself as a key player in global affairs, even considering herself a European power.

America, ensnared in the materialistic trap of globalization, struggles to grasp that the loss of sovereignty equates to the loss of independence. Sovereignty, a cherished attribute of nations, is something they guard with great care. Yet, in her hubris, America exudes the character of the sole hegemon, the indispensable nation, driven by a desire to lead a global community of nations in rebellion against God. This aim to push her ideologies, culture, and wares on the world reflects a modern Babel, a collective mind seeking to become like the Gentiles, serving false ideals. However, God declares that what they have in their mind shall never be, ensuring that such plans for a unified global dominance will ultimately fail.

From a modern policy perspective, America stays within her walls as long as she follows a national policy of isolationism, remaining isolated from foreign nations as much as possible. When America pursues internationalism, intervening in other nations' affairs either passively or militarily, she often overclimbs the walls God established for her. American history can be seen as a slow march from isolationism to internationalism, starting out purposefully distinct from other nations but gradually becoming deeply entangled in the military and economic affairs of the world. Early American restraint was marked by the Puritans, who were isolationists by definition, wanting nothing to do with Europe or the secular world at large. Their predilection for isolationism significantly influenced American thought for decades. However, Americans slowly forsook this mindset, with even many Founding Fathers initiating efforts to build bridges across the Atlantic. Isolationism remained well entrenched throughout much of the nineteenth century, with nation-building carrying the day. Prominent figures like John C. Calhoun admonished Americans to avoid distant European wars, advocating for a peaceful, passive system to keep America's lamp burning brightly as a light to all nations. Similarly, Henry Clay called for a masterly inactivity toward Europe, believing that remaining quiet would do more for liberty through example than through intervention. Both statesmen saw America as a witness to the nations, a concept known as exemplarism. Throughout the 1800s, America maintained relationships with other nations at arm's length, adhering to a fairly strict isolationism. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823, far from being hegemonic, aimed to defend the American homeland and was at heart quite isolationist in philosophy. However, change was in the air, and by the early 1900s, America's foreign policy had turned markedly internationalist, shifting from passive exemplarism to a more assertive stance.