Transcript American Foreign Policy

American Foreign Policy
Until World War I
A Brief Outline
Three Events Shaped American
Foreign Policy From 1789-1824
Washington’s Farewell Address
War of 1812
Monroe Doctrine
Washington’s Farewell Address
Established concept of isolation which
would dominate US foreign policy until the
20th century.
War of 1812
Illustrated the nation’s willingness to
violate the policy of neutrality when it
became advantageous to do so
The Monroe Doctrine
Stressed the America’s special interests
in the Western Hemisphere and
remains, with some modifications,
viable today.
KEY GUIDING STRATEGEM
No permanent friends, only
permanent objectives
Some Key Early Decisions
Jay Treaty
War of 1812
XYZ Affair
Treaty of Ghent
Louisiana Purchase
Rush-Bagot Treaty
Embargo & NonIntercourse Acts
Adams-Onie Treaty
Trends Over Time 1789-1824
Tendency toward isolation
Creation of more secure borders
Navigation of waterways (Mississippi and later
seas)
Increased respect from foreign nations
Increased boldness of some American policymakers
Links with newly established Latin American
nations
The Endless Argument
Should American policy be based on our
own national interests (protecting our
independence, borders, security, power
and interests in peace) or should we
take to the “high road” to base our
policies on moral principles that could
serve as a model for others (human
rights, democracy, etc)
John Quincy Adams: Secretary
of State to James Monroe 18171825
One of the most successful Secretaries
of State in American history.
Had a clear vision of what US policy
should be and where it should be
headed.
Philosophy: National interests should
determine foreign policy.
John Quincy Adams:
Accomplishments
Adams-Onis Treaty
gives Florida
(strategic
importance) to US,
eliminated Spain
from contention for
Oregon Territory
Architect of Monroe
Doctrine
Adams’ Vision:
expansion of US to
the Pacific, pursuit
of good relations
with newly
independent nations
in Latin America
Westward Expansion & Foreign
Policy 1783-1853
Original United
States + Northwest
Territory (1783 GB)
Louisana Purchase
(1803, FR)
British Cession(1818
Rush-Bagot Treaty
Spanish Cession
(1819, FL- from SP)
Texas Annexation
(1845)
Oregon Country
(1846 BR)
Mexican Cession
(1848 Mex War)
Gasden Purchase
(1853 Mex)
American Indian Policy
Expansion has implications for American
Indians
Resist, co-exist, migrate
Treaty of Greenville, 1795
Jefferson- Trans-Mississippi “reserve”
Jackson- Indian Removal Act 1830
Major Indian Wars
Old Northwest Territory (Tecumseh, The
Prophet, the Fox, etc)
The Creeks (Alabama, Florida, Western
Tennessee
Seminole- in Florida
Mexican American War
James K. Polk and Manifest Destiny
Was this war consistent with previous
US foreign policy?
Who supported War with Mexico?
Henry Thoreau and Civil Disobedience
(jailed because he refused to pay a
federal taxes which he believed paid for
an unjust war)
Aftermath of the Mexican American
War for Indians
Continual Warfare on Great Plains &
West
1870’s movement to Reservations
Battle of Little Big Horn (1876) - one of
the few Indian “victories”
The Massacre at Wounded Knee 1890one of the last of many brutal defeats
Dawes Severality Act, 1887
Late 19th Century Imperialism:
The USA Enters the World Stage
Economic motivations: new markets, new
resources
Ideas about racial supremacy driven by Social
Darwinism
Manifest Destiny-extended
Military considerations (strategic, defensive
Alfred Mahan & “The New Navy:
US exceptionalism
1896 Republican Party Platform
Strong imperialist platform
Economic expansion guides position
Overseas expansion good for US
industry
“sympathy for Cuba”
Spanish American War 18981900
Cuba
“Maine” incident, yellow journalism,
jingoism & war fevor
Rough Riders & Teddy Roosevelt
US acquires Philippines, Puerto Rico,
Guam
McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt &
Taft
McKinley: Open Door Policy
Roosevelt: Panama Canal, Roosevelt
Corollary to Monroe Doctrine, “Walk
Softly and Carry a Big Stick
Taft: Dollar Diplomacy (private funds to
pursue diplomatic goals
Pre WWI Imperialism Focal
Points
Philippine Revolution
Cuba (Platt Amend)
Latin American
interventions
(numerous)
Balancing Japan’s
growing dominance
in Asia with USJapanese economic
ties
Panama Canal
China: getting a
toehold in China
trade
World War I: From Neutrality to
Versailles
Traditional neutrality
Challenges to neutrality: u-boats, US
business loans, munitions trade, propaganda,
some pro-war advocates (TR)
Wilson’s 1916 Pledge: To keep us out of war
Wilson’s 1917 statement to “make the world
safe for democracy”
Wilson’s 14 Points & Versailles
Treaty & the “Lessons of War”
14 Points largely disregarded
Fight for Ratification of the Treaty
Henry Cabot Lodge and American
Isolationists prevail-reject League of Nations
US returns to its “isolationist” position vis a
vis Europe
“Lessons” of WWI, Red Scare & Peace
Movement