Why did the United States advocate open trade following the Great Depression and end of World War II?

The United States advocated open trade because that would boost the economy. During WWII, the economy was booming as supplies for the war were needed and employment was at an all-time high because when men needed to go off to war, woman took their place in their jobs. After the war, when all the men came home, the woman did not have any more work. As a result, more people were unemployed and the economy went down. It makes sense that the US would encourage free trade to lift the economy back to its former heights, or at least keep it going. The same goes for the Great Depression but even more so, as this time, instead of having to keep the economy running after a boom, the US government wanted to return the economy so people would at least have a place to live, steady income, and food as the Great Depression was a time where almost everyone was poor. The US advocating for open trade was one way they tried to bring the economy back up from the Great Depression.

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the award is named for an american naval historian and theorist, rear admiral alfred thayer mahan, united states navy who, through his writing, provided stimulus and guidance to those who share in the defense of the nation.