"leave me alone," seemed to be america's attitude toward
the rest of the world in the 1930s.

at the dawn of the '30s, foreign policy was not a burning
issue for the average american. the stock market had just
crashed and each passing month brought greater and
greater hardships. american involvement with europe had
brought war in 1917 and unpaid debt throughout the 1920s.
having grown weary with the course of world events,
citizens were convinced the most important issues to be
tackled were domestic, foreign policy leaders of the 1930s
once again led the country down its well-traveled path of
isolationism.

1. why do you think so many americans were
weary of world events?

2. what is isolationism?

Can you summarize this? it takes time and caution to perfect anything which must be concealed. it takes time to crush men who are pursuing legitimate trade. but one of mr. rockefeller’s most impressive characteristics is patience. there never was a more patient man, or one who could dare more while he waited. the folly of hurrying, the folly of discouragement, for one who would succeed, went hand in hand. everything must be ready before he acted, but while you wait you must prepare, must think, work. "you must put in, if you would take out." his instinct for the money opportunity in things was amazing, his perception of the value of seizing this or that particular invention, plant, market, was unerring.