United StatesForeign Policy

What is foreign policy?

A nation’s plan in dealing with other countries

Defined goals and objectives on how a country will interact with other countries

In his Farewell Address, George Washington warned the United States against forming permanent alliances (we did NOT listen)

Who creates foreign policy in the United States?

As Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the President is responsible for foreign policy.

He (or she) receives help from many of his advisors.

The President negotiates treaties that are ratified by the Senate.

The Secretary of State is the foreign minister. Congress has the power to declare war.

Monroe Doctrine

1823 – stated that European nations should stay out of the Western Hemisphere

In return, the U.S. would stay out of European affairs

Under Pres. James Monroe but largely the work of Sec. of State John Quincy Adams

The U.S. considered any attempt at colonization a threat to national security.

Spanish-American War

President William McKinley declared war on Spain in 1898

Causes:

1) Humanitarianism

2) Economic Interests

3) Yellow Journalism

4) DeLome Letter

5) Sinking of the Maine

Spanish-American War

Results: The United States became an increasing, world power after this war.

1) Treaty of Paris – US acquired Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines ($20 million)

2) Protectorate status over Cuba

3) U.S. turned to imperialism to compete with European nations

Roosevelt Corollary or “Big Stick Policy”

When Theodore Roosevelt became President, he issued this “extension” of the Monroe Doctrine by claiming that the U.S. would be the international police power in Latin America.

“Speak softly but carrying a big stick”

Not a popular foreign policy for isolationists in the United States.

Roosevelt Corollary or “Big Stick Policy”

1) Dominican Republic – repay debt to Europe

2) Panama Canal

3) Left feelings of ill will and distrust of the United States in Latin America

4) FDR tried to improve relations with the Good Neighbor Policy

Woodrow Wilson – World War I

Fourteen Points – Woodrow Wilson’s plan for world peace; included the formation of a League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles – the Senate refused to ratify this treaty because of the provision that included membership in the League of Nations

Harry S Truman – Atomic bomb

• Dec. 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor• FDR placed Japanese-Americans in

internment camps• After defeating Italy and Germany, FDR and

then Truman, had tremendous difficulty getting Japan to surrender.

• Japan had kamikaze soldiers who were willing to die for their country.

Manhattan Project

Secret plan (even VP Truman did NOT know about it) to build an atomic bomb

Tested in New Mexico Truman was faced with the possibility of MAJOR

US casualties if he continued conventional approach (island hopping)

Dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945)

LBJ – Vietnam War

1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident – two U.S. warships allegedly attacked of the coast of Vietnam

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – provided the Pres. to use armed force without a declaration of war (only TWO votes against)

1973 War Powers Act – under Nixon, restricted the right of the President to use the military

Must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops; can only do so for 90 days w/o declaration of war