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Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington's first policy on neutrality was his Proclamation of Neutrality, a proclamation that declared America neutral during the conflict between France and Great Britain. According to www.mountvernon.org, "'The duty and interest of the United States require,'" the Proclamation stated, "'that they [the United States] should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers.'" -
Washington's Farewell Adress
In Washington's Farewell Address, he told all future presidents to not involve with foreign affairs as this would only create hardship with America if things went south. He warned the people about what could happen, especially with England and France bickering and pleading for America's support.
Washington told the future government officials to have extended commercial relations but little to no political ones. This was to stop America from getting into a war they didn't want to be in -
Adams-Onis Treaty
After the Treaty of Paris 1783, American settlers in West Florida rebelled against Spain in 1810, and at-the-time president Madison attempted to use this as a means to acquire Florida. Negotiations over Florida kept going unresolved until the presidency of Monroe, where John Quincy Adams negotiated with Spain's Don Luís de Onís for Florida. Jackson's military campaign increased America's presence over Florida, and eventually, a compromise was made: America would get Florida and pay compensation. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine, released by President Monroe, states that all countries in the Western Hemisphere are under the United States protection and that European colonies are banned from colonizing the Western Hemisphere. It also says any current European colonies will be left alone. -
Wilson Enters America into WW1
There are numerous reasons as to why Woodrow Wilson decided to engage America into World War 1. Two of the main reasons are that
1. Germany violated its pledge to not use submarines in the Atlantic 2. The potential threat that Mexico became after it was asked to invade the US. -
Creation of the League of Nations
After the devastating loss caused by WW1, many countries' citizens pleaded for some measure to creating peace for the world. Woodrow Wilson decided that it was time to create an assembly of delegates representing their country. The League of Nations was created on January 10th, 1920.
The lasting effect of this is that notions towards world peace and stability were made. Even though the League of Nations ceased in 1964, it paved the road for modern peace talks and laid the foundation for the UN -
Good Neighbor Policy
Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted good relations with Latin America. To do this, he needed to withdraw troops from Latin American countries. He also repealed the Platt Amendment, which stated that Cuba had to allow the US to intervene in its affairs. He even allowed Mexican oil companies to glance over American soil. FDR had made a decision to allow Latin American countries to have better relations with America, and he led the way to pave a better relationship with these countries in the future. -
Entering WW2
Even though Nazi Germani and the Axis powers were spreading ideas that directly contrasted with America's, FDR didn't want to engage because this proved to have no positive effect on America. Nevertheless, Japan and Germany decided to interfere with America, as they bombarded Pearl Harbor, a military base in Hawaii. Because of this attack, Roosevelt saw no other choice than to go to war. He was being dragged into the war, so he might as well fight back. That is how FDR got the US involved in WW2 -
Latin America Crises
In Cuba, Fidel Castro had ordered the water supply to all citizens to be shut down, allowing no water to reach anybody. In response to this, Johnson, who opposed Castro, got the navy to create its own water supply and distribute it among citizens.
In Panama, many Panamanians rioted against America controlling the Panama Canal. In response, America firmly ended all violence with force, but after negotiations were reached, America gave back the Panama Canal to Panama. -
Vietnam War
In the hopes of preventing the spread of communism, Lyndon B. Johnson engages America in the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, no attempts at negotiations are made and Johnson keeps America fighting. This is a drawback for America because it will constantly keep fighting and will not stop for some time.
Johnson's military moves do not work as the Vietnam War still keeps going for another 5 years. Because America had poked its head into the wall that was Vietnam, it was forced to fight for many years. -
End of Cold War
The Soviet Union and America had been "fighting" in the Cold War ever since Ronald Reagan's presidency. Bush's presidency saw the end of that. Bush entered negotiations with a cool head and zero ego. The cause of this was the peaceful end to the long quarrel between the two superpowers.
The peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union shortly after the end of the Cold War was a surprise as many people had expected it to end in war. Luckily, Bush's presidency saved that outcome from happening. -
Entering Gulf War
When Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for control over oil, he violated many international laws and faced heat from the UN. When demanded to withdraw troops, Hussein refused, and Former President Bush commanded troops into Kuwait to fight back against Hussein. America didn't have many ties with Kuwait or Iraq, so it was just butting its head in without provocation.
