We begin looking at the topic of isolationism. Isolationism is when a country minimizes its international activity in favor of focusing almost exclusively on domestic issues, and it has been a topic of debate within the United States, more or less, since the nation began. 

Today we look at a couple of the reasons that supporters of isolationism tend to bring up when trying to plead their case. We also look at a couple instances from US history where the United States shifted its focus inward and look at some of the long term benefits that have come from those periods.