AMERICA'S DEVELOPING FOREIGN POLICY
CENTER TARGETI can describe changes in U.S. foreign policy during the last half of the 19th century and early 20th century.
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READ ABOUT IT!
Welcome to the America's Developing Foreign Policy Virtual Center. The first thing your group needs to do is read about how America's foreign policy developed before World War I. After you read, you need to work together to complete the America's Developing Foreign Policy Center Page in your Lesson Chronicles.
A NEW ATTITUDE
Throughout much of United States history, Americans had little interest in what was happening outside their borders. Most people including government leaders were more concerned with expanding the nation westward to achieve what they saw as its “manifest destiny” to stretch “from sea to shining sea.” Then a huge shift in attitude began in the 1880’s as Americans began to look outward.
There were several reasons for this shift in thinking, many related to the Industrial Revolution. As America’s population, wealth, and economic activity boomed, many saw other nations as the key to further growth. Simply put, trade with other countries provided markets for all the new products being churned out by bustling factories.
However, this was not the only reason for foreign policy changes. Missionaries wanted to spread the Christian religion to the “backward” peoples of the world. Darwinism, the idea that the strongest survive, was interpreted by many to mean that the world should be in the hands of strong, successful Americans. Lastly, the U.S. had been left behind in the empire building process, as European nations took over weaker nations in Africa and Asia. Americans hoped to catch up to Europe. All were encouraged by yellow journalism that aimed to encourage U.S. imperialism.
Great Britain, Germany, France, and other European countries had already gobbled up much of Africa and Asia. When the Monroe Doctrine was put forth in 1823, Europeans were warned that any attempt to establish control in the Western Hemisphere would be opposed by the United States. Thus as the 19th century came to a close, most of the world was already claimed by stronger powers. Only Latin America was still open to empire-building.
The Monroe Doctrine was partly about protecting weaker nations in the Western Hemisphere and partly about protecting America from invasion. In other words, it was partly about defending others and partly about self-interest. The Monroe Doctrine became a big part of America's foreign policy. Throughout the years, the Monroe Doctrine changed and expanded. Some presidents and government leaders used the Monroe Doctrine because they felt that because the United States was the strongest nation, it was the duty of the U.S. to protect the weaker nations in the Western Hemisphere. Others used the Monroe Doctrine to further American interests. In the Analyze It Activity, you will learn about how America's foreign policy changed in the decades before World War I.
ANALYZE IT!In today's Analyze It Activity, you will read about the six major changes in foreign policy before World War I. After each reading you will evaluate the policy using a spectrum. A spectrum is a way of showing how something ranks between two opposite ideas. The Monroe Doctrine was about two opposite ideas. The first idea of the Monroe Doctrine is that it was created to protect and defend other nations. The second, opposite, idea of the Monroe Doctrine is that it was created to further American interests. After you read each policy, you will rank the policy by putting an X on a line between the two opposite ideas showing what you think the policy is more about.
The Big Sister Policy James Blaine
I, James Blaine, served as Secretary of State to both Presidents Garfield and Harrison in the late 1800’s. My time and energy was spent pushing my “Big Sister” policy for those administrations. I wanted the nations of Latin American to unify under American leadership. Those countries could open themselves to trade and economic dealings that would certainly benefit them. I am proud to say that I presided over the first Pan-American Conference in 1889. Latin American delegates met with U.S. officials in Washington D.C. to discuss how we could work together.
Alas, though, my efforts achieved little success. The only real results in my time were some lowered tariffs between the United States and our friends to the south. Even so, many credit me with opening the door to future dealings in the region. |
TOOL BOX
Important Vocabulary
Big Sister Policy: a foreign policy proposed by Secretary of State, James Blaine under the Garfield and Harrison administrations whereby the nations of Latin American would unify under American leadership
Big Stick Diplomacy: President Theodore Roosevelt's addition to the Monroe Doctrine that said the United States would do whatever necessary to protect not only North America, but also Central and South America from European rule Boxer Rebellion: when a group called the Boxers rose up and tried to drive all foreigners from China in 1900 Darwinism: an idea that the strongest survive Dollar Diplomacy: President William Howard Taft's foreign policy to use the United States' economic power to gain influence in Latin America and the Caribbean and to keep European influence out of the region foreign policy: the way a government of a nation plans to deal with other governments of other nations Great Rapprochement: the friendship that developed between the United States and Great Britain after the British backed down in the border dispute between British Guiana and Venezuela imperialism: when a nation takes over another nation to rule them and take their natural resources manifest destiny: the attitude that America should expand from the Atlantic coast in the East to the Pacific Coast in the West markets: places where goods are bought and sold Mexican Revolution: when farmers in Mexico rose up and banned together in 1910 and overthrew the dictator to establish a new constitutional government missionaries: people who are sent to a foreign country to spread Christianity and to do religious work Monroe Doctrine: President John Monroe's foreign policy for the nations of Europe stating that any attempt to make colonies of North America would be considered a hostile act and would be stopped by the United States moral diplomacy: President Woodrow Wilson's policy is to make the United States the conscience of the world by using US influence to condemn imperialism and help nations who wanted to gain democracy. Open Door Policy: the policy proposed by Secretary of State John Hay under the President William McKinley that proposed China not be controlled by one imperialist nation but shared by all including the United States Panama Canal: a water route that cut through the Isthmus of Panama, built under Theodore Roosevelt's administration, so sailors would no longer have to sail around the tip of South America to get from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean Pan-American Conference: when Latin American delegates met with U.S. officials in Washington D.C. to discuss how the United States, Central, and South America could all work together to help each other self-interest: concern only for getting what you want or need and not about what happens to other people tariffs: taxes on imports and exports Western Hemisphere: the half of the earth containing North and South America and surrounding waters yellow journalism: when newspapers exaggerated or embellished the truth about a story to make it seem a bigger deal than what it actually was |
Great Rapprochement
Grover Cleveland
I, Grover Cleveland, America’s 22nd President, oversaw a major turning point in American foreign policy. Before my time relations with Great Britain were very strained indeed! We fought them during our Revolution and again in 1812, so most Americans were not very fond of the Brits back then.
Problems arose again in 1895 in a dispute over Venezuela. The border between British Guiana and Venezuela had been an issue for some time. When gold was discovered there, it seemed the British bullies intended to move in, regardless of our warnings. Eventually they backed down, seeing the need to build friendly relations with us since tensions were building in Europe at this time. This “Great Rapprochement” as it came to be known, ushered in a new relationship between the Brits and the United States.
Problems arose again in 1895 in a dispute over Venezuela. The border between British Guiana and Venezuela had been an issue for some time. When gold was discovered there, it seemed the British bullies intended to move in, regardless of our warnings. Eventually they backed down, seeing the need to build friendly relations with us since tensions were building in Europe at this time. This “Great Rapprochement” as it came to be known, ushered in a new relationship between the Brits and the United States.
Open Door Policy
John Hay
I, John Hay, served as Secretary of State beginning in 1898. One of my first official actions was to deal with China. That country was very weak after losing a war with Japan; it was like fresh meat to the European vultures ready to pick its remains. I knew China would soon be carved up and wanted the U.S. to have a piece. So, I made a bold move in 1899, sending what was called the “Open Door Note” to the powerful European nations. I challenged them to announce their respect for the rights of other nations, including the U.S., to trade freely with China. They agreed for the most part, to my Open Door Policy but the Chinese were not at all pleased.
In 1900 a group called the Boxers rose up and tried to drive all foreigners from China. The Boxer Rebellion quickly raged out-of-control, as the Boxers killed over 200 missionaries and other Westerners. So America sent 2,500 men as part of a joint military mission to crush the rebellion.
In 1900 a group called the Boxers rose up and tried to drive all foreigners from China. The Boxer Rebellion quickly raged out-of-control, as the Boxers killed over 200 missionaries and other Westerners. So America sent 2,500 men as part of a joint military mission to crush the rebellion.
Big Stick Diplomacy
Teddy Roosevelt
I am President Theodore Roosevelt, perhaps best-known for building the Panama Canal, a project we took over from the French. We badly needed a shorter water route in lieu of the long, dangerous trip around South America, even if we had to build it ourselves. At the time the Isthmus of Panama was under Colombia’s control, so, it was good news indeed that the people in Panama revolted! I was criticized for using our navy to block Colombia’s forces, but they knew we supported the Panamanians and decided not to cross us. After that, dirt flew fast and furious and we got our canal.
My approach was to “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” an addition to the Monroe Doctrine known as the Roosevelt Corollary. I called it, "Big Stick Diplomacy". I vowed the U.S. would involve itself in any threats to Latin America. We sent troops, took over customs houses, and even paid off debts to keep Latin America from foreign rule. Of course my critics scolded me for brandishing my “big stick” to become the policeman of the Caribbean. But I would argue we had an obligation to keep Europeans from taking advantage of weak Latin American nations.
My approach was to “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” an addition to the Monroe Doctrine known as the Roosevelt Corollary. I called it, "Big Stick Diplomacy". I vowed the U.S. would involve itself in any threats to Latin America. We sent troops, took over customs houses, and even paid off debts to keep Latin America from foreign rule. Of course my critics scolded me for brandishing my “big stick” to become the policeman of the Caribbean. But I would argue we had an obligation to keep Europeans from taking advantage of weak Latin American nations.
Dollar Diplomacy
William Howard Taft
As president I, William Howard Taft, did my best to protect America’s economic dealings in Latin America. There were many American companies with factories and other interests there. My approach, called “dollar diplomacy,” was to use our economic strength to stabilize the region through loans and investments. The U.S. economy was doing quite well at the time, and helping our neighbors allowed us to further our interests.
For instance when a rebellion broke out in Nicaragua in 1912, I sent troops in to seize the customs houses and protect our trade. Once the rebels set up their government, American bankers offered them loans, which set the stage for a friendly relationship. We also pumped a lot of money into Haiti and Honduras to keep European bankers and investors out. In this way we ensured they wouldn’t take over there as they had in other areas of the world...
For instance when a rebellion broke out in Nicaragua in 1912, I sent troops in to seize the customs houses and protect our trade. Once the rebels set up their government, American bankers offered them loans, which set the stage for a friendly relationship. We also pumped a lot of money into Haiti and Honduras to keep European bankers and investors out. In this way we ensured they wouldn’t take over there as they had in other areas of the world...
Moral Diplomacy
Woodrow Wilson
I, Woodrow Wilson, the nation’s 28th president, hated the idea of American imperialism in Latin America and elsewhere. As president I declared war on dollar diplomacy, refusing to give special favors or support to American investors in Latin America. I repealed the Panama Canal Tolls Act that exempted U.S. ships from paying tolls and promised independence to the people of Panama when they could establish a stable government, which they did in 1946.
My approach, known as “moral diplomacy.” My policy is to make the United States the conscience of the world by using our influence to condemn imperialism and help nations who want to gain democracy. We need to become friends with our neighbors because we share a common interest in democracy not because we are providing them with money and investments to further our own economy.
...We must prove ourselves their friends and champions upon the terms of equality and honor... We must show ourselves friends by comprehending their interest, whether it squares with our own interest or not. It is a very perilous thing to determine the foreign policy of a nation in the terms of material interest. It not only is unfair to those with whom you are dealing, but it is degrading as regards your own actions."
Now, that said, I did use America’s economic power to encourage democracy, which brought some criticism. Also, in rare cases as in Mexico, we did more. The Mexican Revolution there threatened our border as well as U.S. business in that country. Even so, it was with a heavy heart that I sent in troops to unseat that nation’s dictator.
My approach, known as “moral diplomacy.” My policy is to make the United States the conscience of the world by using our influence to condemn imperialism and help nations who want to gain democracy. We need to become friends with our neighbors because we share a common interest in democracy not because we are providing them with money and investments to further our own economy.
...We must prove ourselves their friends and champions upon the terms of equality and honor... We must show ourselves friends by comprehending their interest, whether it squares with our own interest or not. It is a very perilous thing to determine the foreign policy of a nation in the terms of material interest. It not only is unfair to those with whom you are dealing, but it is degrading as regards your own actions."
Now, that said, I did use America’s economic power to encourage democracy, which brought some criticism. Also, in rare cases as in Mexico, we did more. The Mexican Revolution there threatened our border as well as U.S. business in that country. Even so, it was with a heavy heart that I sent in troops to unseat that nation’s dictator.
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