US foreign policy fostered political and diplomatic change between 1900 and 1941 by creating economic/trade challenges, influencing presidential elections, and affecting international relations which contributed to the culmination of the Cold War.
By 3096421
-
Open Door Note
Secretary of State John Hay released two notes (1899 and 1900) to Britain dictating that the recently defeated China should be commercially respected and give equal opportunity trading. The US' call was followed (at least in name) and directed international treatment of China towards equal interest, although the US pursued this policy mainly to ensure that its own interests would not be elbowed out by Europeans. The "Open Door" policy derives from the notes. -
Insular Cases
Foreign policy/American imperialism led to the acquisition of new territories from the Spanish-American War. The opinions of SCOTUS ruled that the Constitution did not extend to the Philippines and Puerto Rico, establishing the physical limits of American rights for the first time -
Period: to
Big Stickism
TD, after McKinley's assassination, had his Big Stick foreign policy that greatly influenced Latin American relations. It fostered diplomatic change by allowing the government to interfere in foreign affairs to achieve its goals, as it did with Panama, Colombia, and the Canal. -
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal was a reflection of Big Stickism (explanation found in the time span) -
Roosevelt Corollary
The corollary changed the government's diplomacy with European countries regarding its 'protection' of Latin America with 'preventive intervention.' Since the Latins were indebted to Europe, TD feared that they would retaliate and encroach on the Americas militarily. -
Gentleman's Agreement
Foreign policy differed in Asia--especially foreign policy regarding Japan. Instead of the Big Stickism that led to Philippine possessions, TD had to ensure American security in Asia and therefore moved to reconcile the San Francisco Asian school segregation issue before Japan retaliated. -
Period: to
Dollar Diplomacy
President Taft's signature dollar diplomacy differed from Big Stickism in that direct interference was neglected. Instead, Taft encouraged investment in Latin America and in the east, seeking out economic advantages with China. Dollar diplomacy soured relations with Latin American nations and affected future diplomacy for the following administrations. -
Root-Takahira Agreement
Post-Russo-Japanese War had seen Japan flout the observed Open Door policy, which clashed with American policy. Because of this conflict and TD's foreign policy of good Japanese relations, the accord was struck to ensure that neither party encroached on each other's spheres of influence and allowed Japanese dominance over Korea and Manchuria. -
Period: to
Moral Diplomacy
Wilson opposed Big Stickism and was less aggressive in the Latin sector, yet still retained American dominance. Foreign policy still dictated first and foremost the protection of American citizens and interests, as shown in the intervention in Haiti (1915) and this strong response to the Tampico Incident. Moral Diplomacy was also shown in Wilsonian Idealism, its counterpart regarding Europe. -
Tampico Incident/Affair
The incident was spurred by tensions created when Wilson refused to recognize the new Huerta government, in line with his moral diplomacy which frowned on the nature of Huerta's.rise to power. The affair negatively affected US-Mexican relations, a target of Germany in the Zimmerman Telegram/note. -
1916 Election
Wilson's foreign policy of neutrality and anti-war handed him his reelection, although later he would have to shift his platform come the Zimmerman Note. -
US Enters WWI
US foreign policy dictated its dominance of the Americas and protection from European interference, The Zimmerman Note violated these principles and so Wilson was compelled to react on behalf of the angered public, on the premise of promoting American ideals. Wartime policy galvanized the economy and enabled certain freedoms to be restricted by the government (Espionage Act, etc). -
Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles
There was a large political contingent that opposed Wilson's moral diplomacy/Wilsonism with the Treaty of Versailles, as it included the League of Nations. Senator Lodge and his Reservations worked against the international proposition on the basis of defending the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary. Wilson's blunder made him look to the public mandate of the 1920 election; Republican Harding was elected, spelling out that his foreign policy had turned the people against him. -
Washington Disarmament Conference
The Conference and isolationism demonstrated America's willingness to shut its doors and coordinate with other nations to preserve its untouched status and ensure peace. The treaties that came out of the conference especially demonstrate this (i.e. Four Power Treaty). -
Period: to
Isolationism
Isolationism colored the period of The 20s up through until America entered WWII. It greatly influenced foreign relations due to American negligence of happenings in Europe which eventually developed into the fascist axis wave, and also was a signature policy of the 20s' presidents that led during the economic boom. Isolationism also enabled FDR to focus on American recovery efforts during the Depression. -
Fordney-McCumber Tariff
Isolationism made conservative protectionism openly endorsed and so the tariff was created to hike rates in American favor, as cheap post-war European products flooded the market. However this and the later Hawley-Smoot tariff soured relations with its allies and influenced the turn of the Depression. -
1940 Election
The growing war in Europe and precarious American neutrality helped FDR win the election because of the public's comfort with a president experienced with the current state of the world. The cautious wartime mood (not belligerent, but self-preserving) helped FDR go against Washington convention and win an unprecedented 3rd term. -
Lend-Lease Act
Neutrality persisted with FDR as the war in Europe progressed. Foreign policy still dictated isolationism and sovereign self-protection, leading to the reasoning that the US should finance the Allies in order to keep the war from reaching it, should Germany win. Stretching the terminology of 'neutrality' too far, Germany retaliated by starting to attack in American waters. -
America Enters WWII (Pearl Harbor)
America's foreign policy shifted to full involvement. It undercut the ABC-1 Agreement to mainly pursue Japan instead of Germany in the Pacific Theater. American Involvement and subsequent victory forever changed the American global position as an undertaker of numerous liabilities and as a player in the Cold War.
