US Foreign Policy

Open Door Policy

1900

This policy stated that all nations could have equal opportunities to trade with China. By stating this, America greatly impacted it diplomatically by directing negotiations and other relations between nations.

Platt Amendment

Jun 12, 1901

This amendment states that the United States would withdrawal its military from Cuba, however they could intervene at any time. This amendment greatly impacted American politics by causing them to become more imperialistic.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty

Nov 18, 1903

This treaty was an agreement between the US and the revolutionary government of Panama that granted America the right to build a canal in exchange for $10M.

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Dec 6, 1904

Stated that the United States had the right to exercise "an intentional police power" in the Western Hemisphere. Thus, America had the right to use brute force to protect economic investments.

Dollar Diplomacy

1909

President Taft created this in place of the Big Stick Policy. Taft sought to use the Dollar Diplomacy as the policy that used America's financial powers rather than military intervention, to extend their influence abroad. It also wished to remove any pretext for European intervention in Latin American countries by managing the financial affairs of countries whose economics were 'backwards' by American standards.

Moral Diplomacy

1912

President Wilson's policy of condemning imperialism, spreading democracy, and promoting peace. This policy also influenced and controlled foreign nation and events through economic power, causing the government to now be concerned with protecting US investments in these countries. This policy helped America grow economically and helped them pursue their economic interests abroad.

Emergency Quota Act

May 19, 1921

This act was instituted by congress with the intention to replace the Immigration Act. It attempted to bar specific nationalities from entering the United States and to limit the overall influx of immigrants. Only 3% were allowed into the country. This effected America because it caused isolationism which became a major theme in politics during the time period.

Immigration Act

May 19, 1921

In this act Asians were prevented from having a membership in America. Immigrants were also required a measure of literacy as well as a certain amount of financial stability in order to obtain citizenship. This greatly impacted America's politics because it further encouraged the isolationist views.

Washington Naval Conference

Nov 12, 1921

This was a conference between powerful naval nations which aimed to fix the problem of overpowered naval nations and tensions in East Asia. The result of this meeting were three treaties- the four power treaty, five power treaty, and the nine power treaty. This impacted America diplomatically by greatly slowing the rise of the intense rivalry between the Pacific powers.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Aug 27, 1928

This pact outlawed war by by having each of the five dozen nations promise never to wage offensive war against each other. It was also an agreement not to apply war in matters of foreign policy. This pact is significant because it shows how countries tried to renounce peace through foreign policy which would greatly impact America diplomatically.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

Jun 17, 1930

This was an extremely high tariff act that killed international trade and deepened the Great Depression. This effected America diplomatically because it caused other countries to raise their tariff as well.

Stimson Doctrine

Jan 7, 1932

This was an American foreign policy that stated that the US would not formally recognize any territories that were seized by force. This showed that other countries would follow behind the US.

Good Neighbor Policy

Mar 4, 1933

This policy caused the withdrawal of American troops from foreign nations, like Latin America, to improve international relations and unite the western hemisphere. It also helped to politically strengthen bonds with the other countries it impacted.

First Neutrality Act

Aug 31, 1935

Imposed a general embargo on trading in arms and war materials with all parties in a war. It also declared that American citizens travelling on warring ships traveled at their own risk. This act was important because it marked how America was including preparations for war in its politics.

Lend Lease Act

Mar 11, 1941

This act allowed the sales or loans of war materials to any country whose defense the president deems vital to the defense of the U.S. This act was important to American politics because it created a mutual trust among the nations and benefited the American system.