The pin-back button was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2022 by Forrest J"Ji" Robinson, Jr.
Circular, silver-colored metal pin bearing uppercase, red, English text text around the outer band “I am for America first” and “R.U.” in the center. The text is separated by blue rings and printed on off white paper. It is covered by a plastic film, and a short, vertical pin is soldered to the back. The surface is discolored, and there is manufacturer’s information printed on the back.
overall: Height: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) | Width: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
America First pin encouraging the public to support American isolation regarding United States’ participation in World War II. After World War I (1914-1918), the public felt that the United States should stay out of future foreign wars. The government agreed, taking a new isolationist stance regarding national polices by reducing military forces, restricting immigration, and outlawing aggressive war. After the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, most Americans favored isolation over intervention. However, pro-Allies governmental policies and growing anti-fascist public sentiment began to shift opinions and groups supporting both intervention and isolation emerged. Many isolationist groups, such as the America First Committee (AFC), believed in the policy of “America First,” which dictated that Americans should stay out of the war. They believed that entanglements in European wars would weaken American independence, which was the foundation of America’s prosperity. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and America’s entry into the war, the isolationist movement subsided and the mainstream isolationist groups disbanded.
Nationalistic" I am for America Firs" Pin-back button