Discuss the international economic policies of the United States from 1918 to the beginning of the Great Depression, and explain why those policies failed to sustain a healthy world economy.

The international economic policies of the United States from 1918 to the beginning of the Great Depression were characterized by a focus on protectionism and isolationism. After World War I, the U.S. government implemented high tariffs on imported goods through the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, in an attempt to protect American industries from foreign competition. Additionally, the U.S. pursued a policy of non-intervention in European affairs, as evidenced by its refusal to join the League of Nations.

These policies ultimately failed to sustain a healthy world economy for several reasons. Firstly, the high tariffs imposed by the U.S. led to retaliatory measures by other countries, resulting in a decline in international trade and exacerbating the global economic downturn. Secondly, the U.S. decision to isolate itself from international affairs contributed to a lack of cooperation and coordination among nations, hindering efforts to address economic challenges on a global scale. Finally, the U.S. stock market crash of 1929 and subsequent Great Depression had a ripple effect on the global economy, further undermining the effectiveness of U.S. economic policies.

In conclusion, the international economic policies of the United States from 1918 to the beginning of the Great Depression failed to sustain a healthy world economy due to their focus on protectionism and isolationism, which led to a decline in international trade, lack of global cooperation, and the spread of economic instability.