Yesterday's Traditions, Today's Realities, Tomorrow's Horizons _ Exploring America's Foreign Policy Over Time

Chapter 1

Historical Foundations of U.S. Foreign Policy

Introduction

The United States foreign policy has deep historical roots that have shaped its evolving approach to international relations over time.

This chapter will explore the early founding principles and traditions that laid the foundation for U.S. foreign policy as we know it today.

The Founding Principles

When the United States declared its independence in 1776, it embarked on establishing its place in the world guided by key tenets:

1.       Non-Entanglement: Avoiding entanglement in European conflicts and wars was a primary principle early on. George Washington famously warned against "entangling alliances" in his Farewell Address, emphasizing neutrality.

2.     Isolationism: In the early 19th century, the United States followed a policy of isolationism, avoiding involvement in European affairs to focus inward on westward expansion and territorial consolidation.

3.     Monroe Doctrine: In 1823, President James Monroe articulated the Monroe Doctrine opposing any European intervention in independent nations of the Americas. This marked a significant assertion of expanding U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Manifest Destiny and Expansion

The concept of "Manifest Destiny" was critical in 19th century U.S. foreign policy, reflecting the belief that it was America's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast. This ideology drove policies such as the Louisiana Purchase and westward expansion into Native American lands.

The Civil War and International Recognition

The American Civil War also had implications for U.S. foreign policy, as the Confederate States sought recognition from European powers like Britain and France. However, President Abraham Lincoln's diplomacy efforts helped prevent foreign intervention, maintaining the unity of the United States.

The Emergence of Global Power

The late 19th century saw the United States emerge as an ascendant global power through factors like industrialization, imperialism, and acquiring overseas territories including Hawaii and the Philippines. This marked a shift toward more global engagement.

"Big Stick Diplomacy" Under Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, known as "Big Stick" diplomacy, emphasized building up a strong U.S. military presence as a means of negotiating with other nations from a position of strength. This influenced events like the negotiation of the Panama Canal Treaty.

ü Conclusion

The early historical foundations of U.S. foreign policy blended non-entanglement, isolationism, expansionism, and emergence as a global power. These principles and events established the groundwork that evolved into the complex modern foreign policy landscape.

Up next we'll examine the profound impact of the Cold War era on American foreign policy.

The Evolution of American Power: A History of U.S. Foreign Policy

Chapters: 1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7

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