America's Foreign Policy

Monroe Doctrine

1823

This doctrine restricted European involvement/colonization in the Americas.

Big Stick Diplomacy

1901

Roosevelt refers to U.S. policy as "speaking softly and carrying a big stick." The US sought to protect American interests and lives during and following the Panamanian revolution over construction of the Isthmian Canal.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

1901

This treaty guaranteed open passage for any nation through the proposed Panama Canal. It was signed by the US and Britain in 1901. It was the legal preliminary to the US building the canal for quicker access to the Pacific. The US wanted quicker routes to other countries, showing their desire for being a global power.

Roosevelt Corollary

1904

This corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, asserted that the U.S. may intervene in the affairs of an country threatened with intervention by a European country.

Gentlemen's Agreement

1906

This agreement was between the US and Japan whereby the United States would not impose restrictions on Japanese immigration, and Japan would not allow further emigration to the United States.President Roosevelt wanted to calm growing tension between the two countries over the immigration of Japanese workers.

Sinking of the RMS Lusitania

1915

The sinking of the RMS Lusitania and the American reaction to it sinking caused the Germans to temporarily halt their policy of unlimited submarine warfare. The Germans had been using submarines to sink shipping that was headed to Britain. This caused T. Roosevelt to demand war.

US Joining WWI

1917

After the Zimmerman Telegram and the sinking of ships by German U-boats, Congress declared war on Germany. By joining the war, the US ended their policy of isolationism.

14 Points

1918

The 14 points was a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. Woodrow Wilson affected America's foreign policy by making this statement of principle. Although it failed, it was very significant because it reached multiple nations and showed that the US wanted peace.

Treaty of Versailles

1919

With the Treaty of Versailles, Woodrow Wilson attempted to influence European politics with the help of his 14 Points and League of Nations. These post WWI programs helped to provide a forum for resolving international disputes and prevent future wars.

Creation of the League of Nations

1920

The League of Nations was an international organization, in Switzerland and was created after WWI to provide a forum for resolving international disputes. Like the 14 Points, the US's involvement showed their power for stepping up and making attempts to restore world peace.

Dawes Plan

1924

The Dawes Plan was created to resolve the World War I reparations that Germany had to pay, that had strained diplomacy following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

1928

Also known as the Pact of Paris, this pact was a multi-nation agreement to use war only as the last effort. Because the US was involved, this affected their foreign policy and made war a last resort.

Good Neighbor Policy

1934

The foreign policy of the administration of United States President Franklin Roosevelt towards Latin America. It reinforced the idea that the United States would be a "good neighbor" and engage in reciprocal exchanges with Latin American countries.

Atlantic Charter

1941

This Charter was a declaration released by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It provided a broad statement of U.S. and British war aims.

Marshall Plan

1947

Also known as the European Recovery Program, the United States gave over $12 billion in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European countries/economies after the end of World War II.