Was Franklin Delano Roosevelt an isolationist or an interventionist?

Answer 1

Franklin D Roosevelt had to seem to support isolationism, a state in which the American public felt safe secure. However He knew better in that, if the Germans were not defeated and the war in Europe ended in a stale mate or worse, defeat for the British then America could go whistle for payment for all the weapons it had been selling to the British. The pearl harbor attack solved his problem as did the simultaneous declaration of war by Germany on the USA.Add to this that they would be speaking Russian in Spain if the Germans lost and trade wise it would have painted a pretty grim picture for the USA. As it turned out The USA ended up with massive influence over both Germany and Japan who were both with the aid of the USA to become economic powerhouses.

Answer 2

TR is well known for establishing the modern presidency, especially in regard to foreign affairs. His presidency broadened the power of the president in international affairs. Especially his policies on Latin America (and specifically the Panama Canal) tended toward "American Empire."