US Expansionist Foreign Policies Flashcards

Political Reasons for Expansionism

• Desire for military strength driven by global military competition.
• Advisement from leaders to enhance military capabilities.
• Fear of communism fueled expansionist policies during the Red Scare.

Economic Motivations

• Demand for new markets and raw materials due to technological advancements.
• Imperialist perspectives viewed foreign trade as essential; notable examples include Hawaii (sugar) and Alaska (timber, minerals, oil).
• Discovery of oil reserves in the Middle East intensified competition with Britain, leading to protective tariffs that contributed to the Great Depression.

Social Factors

• Historical American inclination to expand territorial boundaries.
• European nations had established colonies for centuries, prompting the U.S. to pursue similar goals.

Ideological Impulses

• American leaders embraced the idea of imperialism, believing in the superiority of American culture.
• Social Darwinism promoted the notion of racial superiority and justified the spread of Christianity and civilization to others.
• Fear of communism underlined many expansionist policies.

Big Stick Diplomacy

• "Speak softly and carry a big stick" encapsulates Roosevelt's approach to peaceful negotiation paired with military readiness.
• An extension of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. governance authority over the Western Hemisphere.
• Emphasized diplomatic negotiations supported by military might to maintain order, especially in Latin America.

Foreign Affairs in Asia

• Conflicts over Manchurian and Korean ports sparked the Russo-Japanese War (1904).
• Roosevelt brokered peace through the Treaty of Portsmouth (1905), earning the Nobel Peace Prize but provoking resentment in Russia and Japan.

Relationships in Latin America

• Roosevelt's imperialist mindset influenced negotiations for the Panama Canal, benefitting the U.S. after aiding Panama's independence.
• Critical perspective from the international community emerged due to the Panama Canal's creation and U.S. involvement in regional conflicts.

Impact in Europe

• Roosevelt's mediation in the Morocco territorial disputes enhanced U.S. international standing.
• The establishment of the Panama Canal was controversial but crucial for trade and military strategy.

Contemporary Applications of Big Stick Diplomacy

• Economic pressure strategies have been used against North Korea and in conflicts involving Iraq and China.

Dollar Diplomacy

• The policy focused on using financial leverage to influence foreign countries through guaranteed loans to American businesses operating abroad.

Taft's Approach

• Invested in foreign nations to ensure alignment with U.S. policies and interests.
• Examples include managing Honduras' debt crisis and maintaining control over economically strategic locations in Latin America.

Moral Diplomacy

• Wilson condemned imperialism while promoting democracy and peace, particularly in Latin America.
• Economic engagements were conditional on the establishment of democratic governments aligned with American ideals.