1. Introduction
The goals and norms of American foreign policy can be traced over a number of centuries. Starting in 1776, foreign policy in the United States (US) has gone through a rollercoaster of competing strategies and schools of thought. Two competing strategies of Isolationism and Internationalism have taken their turns headlining the foreign policy principles of various American governments. Importantly, the reasons for the to and fro movement between these two extremes can not be linked to a single source but to a multitude of elements both internal and external shaping American thinking.
In the sections that follow, a historical path will be traced through American foreign policy starting in 1776 with a watershed period
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Carruthers (2005: 64) identifies America's rapid industrial expansion as one of the key features of the 1900s.
3. The 1900s up to the end of World War II Initially foreign policy during this period rested upon what was known as Dollar diplomacy referring to America's preference for a business oriented foreign policy rather than the use of force (Kegley et al, 2003: 32). The rest of this period would be marked by three world changing events, namely the First and Second World Wars and the great depression. Two important US Presidents also appeared during this period.
The first was Woodrow Wilson, from 1912-1921. Wilson is most famous firstly for his long list of military interventions, depicting a shift in US policy towards interventionism. He is further remembered for his role in leading the US into World War I (WWI). And finally and perhaps most importantly from a global perspective, his calls for a system of collective security which eventually led to the formation of the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations (Kegley et al, 2003: 34). America's late entrance into WWI was followed by a world-wide impetus to not return to a state of war ever again. Wilson led this revolution with his famous fourteen points outlining his vision for a more peaceful and stable world order
Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the American people: “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is—in extending our commercial relations—to have with them as little political connection as possible.” By avoiding
Prior to World War I, the United States generally chose to follow Washington’s farewell address and stay out of “foreign entanglements”. The United States foreign policy from 1918 to 1953 shifted from isolationism or independent internationalism to a more involved internationalism and containment of communism due to various international events, economic conditions, and US public opinion.
The United States “regular[ly] resort[s] to war” on the foundation of a “militant foreign policy,” which is associated with a “hegemonic national identity.”3 According to Hixson, the militancy of foreign policy stems from western Europe whose “colonialism and imperialism…flowed from the aggressive expansion of a…worldview that apotheosized its way of life as ordered, reasoned and providentially
American foreign policy is a virtual jumble of ideologies, among which stands the concept of isolationism, an avoidance of global relations. From 1913 to 1937, the United States struggled with the question of to be or not to be, and presidents ranged from complete global disengagement to war declarations. However, although they all wrestled with the idea isolationism, not all presidents acted equally. Woodrow Wilson’s domestic success and idealistic foreign failure is a testament to the inequality, whilst Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in contrast, gradually emerged from the theory of isolationism as a worldwide political butterfly. The two chiefs in the center, Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, presided over an isolated, stagnant period
The Truman Doctrine was a turning point in U.S. foreign relations. To understand how and why the Truman Doctrine changed U.S. foreign policy, there must be a review of U.S. foreign policy throughout the twentieth century. This paper will explore U.S. foreign policy beginning with the Spanish-American War. World expectations
At the end of World War One, the American public were completely against becoming entangled in another European war which would cost American soldier’s lives and be expensive to the economy; this was a feeling which also ran through Congress. The feeling became known as ‘isolationism’. An isolationist policy meant that it focused on domestic affairs and disregarded international issues. During the period, particularly as World War Two grew nearer, it became increasingly difficult for US foreign policy to avoid becoming involved with foreign situations. Despite this, much of foreign policy during the period could be considered isolationist; this essay will attempt to
As America approached the 20th century it had achieved great prestige in the world for having a prosperous economy built on free market system. The facets of an American identity mostly revolved around corporate power and stability. The corporations grew at a national scale effortlessly, and within years, international; the United States was following similar footsteps of the British East India Company as an emulation to the western hemisphere. Contracted railroads, lands, and farms were the crux of American imperialism in the Americas. The strengthening grip of the corporations on the government gave America a series of questions that it dealt with in the early 1900s. The two frontrunners to answer the puzzling questions were the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, and the 28th president Woodrow Wilson. They both wanted the betterment of America both domestically and at the world stage. However, the assertive nature of Theodore Roosevelt made him an exemplar of American ideals and democracy for the rest of the world.
The U.S. foreign policy has always been linked to the domestic policy since the U.S. never feared of expanding its national interests over the national boarders. Isolation for the U.S. usually implied slow economic growth and the large number of destructive conflicts within, while impudent foreign policy always guaranteed an abrupt economic growth for the U.S. economy. After the U.S. intervened in the WWI and the WWII, the U.S. economy witnessed a tremendous economic growth, nearly elimination of the unemployment, rapid urbanization and overall growth of the standards of living across the country. Decisive foreign policy has always been providing the U.S. economy with the sustainable and rapid economic growth, unlike the policy aimed at isolation of the U.S.
From its humble beginnings, the United States of America has expressed its intention to assist individuals who desired freedom by serving as an exemplar of liberty. Originally, Americans sought to preserve their republic by avoiding all foreign altercations and external constraints. At the dawn of the nineteenth century, in his first inaugural address Thomas Jefferson warned his audience of the potential dangers of foreign affairs by stating, “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none,” pleading for a delicate balance between national security and commerce. This sentiment on foreign policy was reiterated on July 4, 1821, by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams when he said, “America does not go abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.” At the dawn of the 21st century, the implications from Adam’s statement are no longer consistent with the demands of American national security. The key tenets of the Bush doctrine, democratization and preemption, have deviated from Adam’s vision and redefined United States foreign policy for the 21st century.
As we approach the next Presidential election the topic of American foreign policy is once again in the spotlight. In this paper, I will examine four major objectives of U.S. foreign policy that have persisted throughout the twentieth century and will discuss the effect of each on our nation’s recent history, with particular focus on key leaders who espoused each objective at various times. In addition, I will relate the effects of American foreign policy objectives, with special attention to their impact on the American middle class. Most importantly, this paper will discuss America’s involvement in WWI, WWII, and the Cold War to the anticipated fulfillment of these objectives—democracy,
America’s Foreign policy is complicated, which is exactly where there is no one foreign policy tradition that can accurately describe the best for America to handle foreign relations. Of the four main traditions, there are three that, combined, create what America needs to peruse when it comes to their foreign policy.
American foreign policy has gradually changed since the birth of our nation. On July 4, 1891, John Quincy Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives during a powerful Independence Day speech designed to prevent an alliance with the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Although sympathetic to their cause, he warned against involving America in other states’ affairs, stating,” America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all”. This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of John Quincy Adams’ statement, examine the trends of foreign policy and national security from the late nineteenth century to the present, and address current policy issues regarding
DB # 5 Explain how profits, piety, and politics affected American foreign policy in the late 19th century.
In their book American Foreign Policy since World War 2, Steven W. Hook, and John Spanier take a historical look at American foreign policy. Since its independence, all through to the start of the 20th century, the United States had a policy of detachment. This was rooted in the believe that Europe, the only other meaningful powerful in the world in the 18th and 19th century, had intrinsic issues related to feudism that kept the continent in a constant state of war (Hook & Spanier, 2015). The U.S on its part was far away from Europe and had a unique chance to chart a different course, one free from the troubles of Europe. As a democracy free from the class systems of Europe and hence maintain peace and stability (Hook & Spanier, 2015). To maintain this peace and stability, it was in the United States interests to maintain detachment from Europe. In fact, Monroe wrote that Europe and its flawed system was evil and America should strive as much as possible to stay away from it (Hook & Spanier, 2015). However, in the 20th century, this policy of detachment was put to the test when the United States was drawn into the first and second world wars by external factors. This led the United States to get more engaged in global affairs. The idea behind engagement was to promote the ideals of democracy which, the U.S believed were the pillars of peace, as well as to protect itself from aggressors like Japan in the Second World War. After the
Chapter 1 – The History and Evolution of Foreign Policy Analysis by Valerie M. Hudson