  We study the electro-magnetic form factors of the nucleon, from small to
large momentum transfer, in the context of the Instanton Liquid Model (ILM). As
a first step, we analyze the role of single-instanton effects, and show that
they dominate the form factors at large momentum transfer. Then, we go beyond
the single-instanton approximation and perform a calculation to all order in
the 't Hooft interaction. We find that the ILM is in good agreement with the
available experimental data. Based on these results, we argue that instantons
provide a microscopic mechanism that explains the delay of the onset of the
asymptotic perturbative regime, in the electro-magnetic form factors.
