The untold story of American Isolationism | Christopher Nichols | TEDxPortland

In a country today that feels more divided than ever, what better time to look beyond our immediate reactions and dig deeper? To search our past for greater understanding? In this masterful Talk, Christopher Nichols PhD, dives into the origins of America Isolationism and "America First." The parallels to today and "Make America Great Again" provokes and creates an informed debate. He passionately explains that history is a vaccine against superficiality. When we take time to unearth the full story, time to understand it, we gain a new depth of insight which can create a better tomorrow.

Over 150 hours of custom illustration was created to support and amplify this Talk. Special thanks to the incredibly talented, Jonathan Case / JonathanCase.net

With special thanks to core the TEDxPortland organizing team, 70+ volunteers and cherished partners - without you this experience would not be possible. Our event history can be found TEDxPortland.com In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

Christopher is an Associate Professor of History at Oregon State University, Director of OSU’s Center for the Humanities, and founder of OSU’s Citizenship and Crisis Initiative. A 2016 Andrew Carnegie Fellow and best-selling author, he specializes in U.S. history, American isolationism, and our country’s relationship to the rest of the world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx