Foreign Policy Developments 1 (1865-1890)

Question 1

Define ‘Manifest Destiny’

Answer 1

It was a term used to define the US right and duty (deemed by God) to become a continental power (to dominate the continent - North
America) - it reinforces isolation from European powers.

Question 2

Following the Civil War what policies were the US following ?

Answer 2

Isolationism and Imperialism

Question 3

What was the justification of isolationism in the USA following the Civil War (April 1861- April 1865) ?

Answer 3

• Relations with the British were strained due to the Canadian Border Dispute
• Spain was worried the US would intervene with her empire
• Conservative countries (e.g., Austria-Hungary feared US Democracy
• The French Emperor (Napolean III) had interfered with Mexico.
• The Civil War had proved that the US had to focus on internal issues as a priority

Question 4

What did the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 outline?

Answer 4

That any efforts from the European nations to colonise land within the states of America would be viewed as an act of aggression resulting in US intervention - at the same time the US would not intervene in European concerns.

Question 5

What happened in Mexico between 1846 and 1867?

Answer 5

In 1846 the USA went to war with Mexico - supporting rebellion in California for independence from Mexican rule (led by Benito Juarez) . After Civil War - General P Sheridan sent 50,000 troops to the Mexican border (at the time Napoleon III (France) was supporting Mexico and this support stopped in 1867.

Question 6

Which 2 areas were bought by the US in 1867?

Answer 6

Alaska and the Midway Island

Question 7

How much did Alaska cost the US to but from Russia?

Answer 7

$7.2 million

Question 8

What was the nickname given to Alaska by US politicians and why?

Answer 8

‘Seward’s Folly’ as it was William Seward’s (secretary of state) idea as they did not agree with his decision.

Question 9

What was an example of the Monroe Doctrine being enforced ?

Answer 9

Mexico

Question 10

In 1869 which state was declined in its offer to be colonised and why?

Answer 10

The Dominican Republic was rejected in its proposal to be colonised as despite President Grant’s enthusiasm - Hamilton Fish (Sec of State) and his Cabinet did not share such enthusiasm and the proposal was rejected.

Question 11

Following the Civil War the US demanded what compensation from the UK?

Answer 11

The US demanded that Britain (for their support of the Confederate states) either pay $2 billion in reparations or allow the US to expand into Canada.

Question 12

What compensation did the US actually receive from Britain following the Civil war?

Answer 12

$15.5 million

Question 13

In 1873 (Hamilton Fish) America formed a trade treaty with which state?

Answer 13

Hawaii

Question 14

What did the trade treaty between the US and Hawaii in 1873 do?

Answer 14

It paved the way for annexation in the 1890s.

Question 15

What did the trade treaty with Samoa do in 1878?

Answer 15

It paved the way for expansionism in the 1890s.

Question 16

What was the US ‘National Myth’?

Answer 16

The ideolosy that settling in the empty West was beneficial fr the progress of the US and that Native Americans were ‘savages’ and culturally inferior.

Question 17

The US approach to remove Native Indians was very quickly implemented - how many battles were fought in 1871 alone?

Answer 17

101 battles.

Question 18

What was the First Phase of removing Native Indians?

Answer 18

Treaty of Medicinal Lodge - 1867 - £ treaties - Essentially established new borders for Indian territory. 1868 Great Sioux Reservation in Mississippi

Question 19

What was the Second Phase of removing Native Indians?

Answer 19

President Grant established the concept of ‘Reservation or Assimilation’ - Native Americans were to accept life in reserved land or assimilate to US society.

Question 20

What was the Third Phase of removing Native Indians?

Answer 20

This ran alongside the 2nd Phase. 3 main areas of war - Great Plains. South West, and North West. Apache wars end 1874. Great Plains battles (Sioux and Cheyenne brutally suppressed 1876). Comanche and Cheyenne defeated 1875. The Northwest won by 1877.

Question 21

When were the Native Indians completely defeated?

Answer 21

By the end of 1877 - white settlers were free to the land. Following the Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889, 2 million acres of Indian territory was free to whites.

Question 22

When were the Fenian Raids?

Answer 22

1866-1871

Question 23

What were the Fenian Raids?

Answer 23

5 raids carried out by the Fenian Brotherhood (Irish Republican Organisation) on Canadian forces - in order to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. The US government were ignorant to this issue for some time - potentially due to frustration with Britain for their involvement in the US Civil War.

Question 24

What was the Red River Dispute?

Answer 24

US wanted to annex the Red River Colony - tension was high but Alabama Claims settled it.

Question 25

What was the ‘Turner Thesis’?

Answer 25

An ideology formed by Frederick Jackson Turner which stated that US democracy had been shaped by the attitudes towards the ‘Frontier’ (laissez-faire thinking, individualism etc).

Question 26

Summarise the Foreign Policy Developments between 1865 and 1890.

Answer 26

• By 1890 territorial consolidation complete
• Borders established
• Continental power
• New style of American Imperialism
• Manifest Destiny