American Foreign Policy Overview

American Foreign Policy

• Isolationism (1776-early 20th century): The US initially avoided entangling alliances, prioritizing domestic affairs. The concept of a "social contract" emphasizing limited government and natural rights influenced this stance.
• Manifest Destiny (19th century): A belief in the US's divinely ordained right to expand across North America. Fueled westward expansion, justifying displacement of Native Americans and other groups, and encouraged growth of democracy and capitalism.
• Monroe Doctrine (1823): Declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to further European colonization or puppet monarchies. The US would not intervene in European affairs, and any European intervention in the Americas would be viewed as hostile.
• Spanish-American War (1898): Conflict leading to US acquisition of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Marked a shift towards global power from a primarily isolationist nation.
• Roosevelt Corollary (early 20th century): Extended the Monroe Doctrine, asserting US right to intervene militarily in Latin American nations to forestall European influence.

World Wars and the Cold War

• World War I: The US avoided direct engagement initially, while the growing naval power of Germany led to two opposing alliances (Triple Entente/Allied Powers and Triple Alliance/Central Powers).
• 1917 Communist Revolution: The Russian Revolution established the Soviet Union and fueled fear of communist expansion. This ultimately contributed heavily to the tensions that set the stage for the Cold War.
• Treaty of Versailles (1919): Ended WWI; sought lasting peace through the League of Nations, originally proposed by President Woodrow Wilson.
• Cold War (1947-1991): A period of political, ideological, and economic tension between the US and the Soviet Union. The US attempted containment to prevent communist expansion. Key policies included the Truman Doctrine (supporting democratic nations) and the Marshall Plan (providing economic aid to Western Europe). The division of the world into two primary power blocs (bipolar conflict), capitalist versus communist, defined the conflict's nature.
• Korea and Vietnam Wars: Cold War conflicts where the US intervened to contain communism.
• Unipolar (pre-World War I and Post-World War II): A period of US global dominance. Post-WWII, the United States emerged as the dominant global power, leading to a period referred to as unipolar, wherein the U.S. held significant influence worldwide.
• Bipolar Era: Following the aftermath of World War II, the globe divided between capitalist and communist powers. This marked the beginning of the Cold War.
• Polycentric (Post-Cold War): The post-Cold War period featured a diversification of powers. Factors such as rising nationalism and economic and military competition among various global actors have contributed to the multipolar trend.

Post-War Strategies and Events

• Encirclement concept: A military strategy where a force surrounds and isolates an opponent.
• Eisenhower Doctrine (1957): Policy of US military and economic assistance to Middle Eastern nations threatened by external aggression.
• Nixon Doctrine (1969): Shift to supporting allies facing threats through economic and military aid, rather than directly involving ground troops.
• Carter Doctrine (1980): U.S. commitment to safeguarding its interests in the Persian Gulf region, highlighting its strategic importance.
• Reagan Doctrine (1980s): Policy of supporting anti-communist insurgents worldwide.
• Bush Doctrine (2000s): Policy of preemptive military action (justifying the US to use force preventively, before an attack could occur) against perceived threats.
• Globalism and Decline of US Manufacturing: Post-Cold War, the world became significantly more interconnected, but a weakening of manufacturing-based industries took place, and the United States experienced economic shifts.

Key Organizations

• NATO (1949): North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of North American and European countries.
• WTO (World Trade Organization): An international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
• IMF (International Monetary Fund): An international organization working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment, and reduce poverty.