Question
In April 1917 the illusion of isolation was destroyed. America came to the end of innocence, and of the exuberant freedom of bachelor independence. . . . To help ourselves manage [the responsibilities of world power], we have replaced the illusion of isolation with a new illusion of omnipotence. That screen, too, must fall.
—“How We Entered World War I,”
Barbara Tuchman
What does the author’s first use of the key term illusion suggest about American foreign policy?
The United States causes many problems.
The United States could not remain separate.
The promotion of democracy is a false policy.
It is unsafe for one country to have too much power.
—“How We Entered World War I,”
Barbara Tuchman
What does the author’s first use of the key term illusion suggest about American foreign policy?
The United States causes many problems.
The United States could not remain separate.
The promotion of democracy is a false policy.
It is unsafe for one country to have too much power.
Answers
Answer
In April 1917 the illusion of isolation was destroyed. America came to the end of innocence, and of the exuberant freedom of bachelor independence. . . . To help ourselves manage [the responsibilities of world power], we have replaced the illusion of isolation with a new illusion of omnipotence. That screen, too, must fall.
—“How We Entered World War I,”
Barbara Tuchman
What does the author’s second and third use of the key term illusion suggest about foreign policy?
Both isolation and omnipotence are impossible to achieve.
The United States will someday be able to balance isolation and omnipotence.
It was inevitable that omnipotence would replace isolation.
The United States missed a chance to be separate from Europe.
—“How We Entered World War I,”
Barbara Tuchman
What does the author’s second and third use of the key term illusion suggest about foreign policy?
Both isolation and omnipotence are impossible to achieve.
The United States will someday be able to balance isolation and omnipotence.
It was inevitable that omnipotence would replace isolation.
The United States missed a chance to be separate from Europe.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The author’s first use of the key term "illusion" suggests that American foreign policy was based on the misconception that the United States could remain isolated and uninvolved in global conflicts. Therefore, the most fitting interpretation of this term in the context provided is:
**The United States could not remain separate.**
This indicates that the belief in isolationism was not a sustainable or realistic foreign policy approach, especially in the face of global events that ultimately led the U.S. to enter World War I.
**The United States could not remain separate.**
This indicates that the belief in isolationism was not a sustainable or realistic foreign policy approach, especially in the face of global events that ultimately led the U.S. to enter World War I.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The author’s second and third use of the key term "illusion" suggests that both isolation and the notion of omnipotence are unattainable ideals in the context of foreign policy. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation is:
**Both isolation and omnipotence are impossible to achieve.**
This reflects Tuchman's argument that both the belief in a nation's ability to remain isolated from global conflicts and the belief in its capability to manage world affairs with unchallengeable power are ultimately flawed.
**Both isolation and omnipotence are impossible to achieve.**
This reflects Tuchman's argument that both the belief in a nation's ability to remain isolated from global conflicts and the belief in its capability to manage world affairs with unchallengeable power are ultimately flawed.