Foreign Policy US Flashcards
(71 cards)
Imperialism p1
Involvement in the Pacific- The annexation of Hawaii in 1898- US got a naval base at Pearl Harbour/ new bases in the Pacific in Samoa and Hawaii- more involved in affairs outside of the U.S/ needed a substantial base of operations in the Pacific to support U.S. interests in China= some of the world’s most sought after commodities such as tea, porcelain, and silk. other significance point so 3- Hawaii became 50th state in 1959- more land- more power
Imperialism p2-Spanish American War
Spanish American war treaty After the Spanish American war the U.S signed a peace treaty in Paris in 1898, recognising Cuban independence and American annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and the Pacific Island- able to build an empire =power through securing more territory-
Imperialism p2 Spanish American war- more
increased tensions/ involvement with foreign powers - Filipinos led a full scale revolt against American troops in February 1899 which lasted 3 years, costing 4200 American lives / 50,000-200,000 Filipino deaths and $170 billion. other significance point to make 3-paved gaining allied support -Britain permitted the sale of a collier and provision ship to Admiral George Dewey’s fleet before it confronted the Spanish squadron in Manila Bay- Japan followed Great Britain’s lead in supporting the United States’ annexation of the Philippines.
Imperialism p3
“speak softly, and carry a big stick, and you will go far.”- tactic was used to gain control of the Panama canal. Upon Columbia opposing the building of the Panama canal, Roosevelt made it clear the U.S. would strongly support the Panamanian people should they choose to revolt against Colombia and form their own nation-
Imperialism p3-
more November 1903- sent US battleships to the coast of Colombia for ‘practice maneuvers’-blocked Colombia from sending troops to stop the uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt recognized Panama as a new country and offered them the same deal he’d given Colombia, $10 million and a $250,000 annual rental fee. Once the Panamanian victory was secured, with American support, construction on the canal began in May 1904, giving the U.S major strategic and commercial advances- being seen as more of major economic power- role increased- less able to back out
Wilson p1
January 1918- 14 points based on self determination, disarmament, free seas and the establishment of the League of Nations to keep peace for future. LON was incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles, yet when Wilson returned after reparations many American politicians were unhappy with this decision- commit the USA to collective security possibly involving the U.S in another war if the League decided on it. The treaty to involve America in the League of Nations failed to get a 2/3 vote in the Senate. This impacted American foreign policy, reverting back to more isolationist principles- limiting role.
Wilson p2
role increased in latin America- trying to spread ideals-Mexican revolution began in 1911 Wilson’s sympathies were with liberal revolutionaries, intervening when dictator General Heurta seized power in 1913. April 1914, after Mexican officials arrested some American sailors-Wilson used the incident to justify sending the U.S. Navy to bombard Veracruz,-caused death of 126 upsetting both sides in Mexican civil war. Wilson =lucky- other Latin American countries mediated- civil war at temporary halt.
Wilson p2- more
In 1916, Pancho Villa, a rival of Carranza, attacked Americans in New Mexico, trying to provoke a war. Thousands of US soldiers unsuccessfully chased Villa, withdrawing in Jan 1917. At the end of the civil war in 1917, Mexico adopted liberal constitution which Wilson wanted all along but Mexican national pride was hurt.
Woodrow Wilson p3
Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war on April 4, 1917; the House concurred on April 6 by a vote of 373 to 50. Wilson emphasized that the main goal of the war should be to end militarism and make the world “safe for democracy,” impact- give impacts of ww1
WW1- p1
1-Woodrow Wilson asked the U.S. Congress to declare war on Germany on April 2, 1917. The United States entered into World War I on 6 April 1917. This was significant as this was the beginning of America’s interventionist policy and involvement in European affairs- harder to back out.
WW1- P2
2-WW1 brought financial gain for America between 1914 to 1916 as trade with Britain and France increased from $753 million to $2.5 billion. This was effective in aiding America’s economy as well as building alliances with other countries- role involved w/ other countries.
WW1- P3 IMPACT-
Change of ideas- NYE- public opinion turned away from involvement with other countries or 14 reservations HCL- no involvement in LON- allowed dictators to rise
Good point- look powerful- Supplied raw materials, supplies, and money.
Sent over 4,000,000 military personnel to the Western Front.
Helped tip the balance of the war in favor of the Allies. played an important part in campaigns at end of war: the German Spring Offensive, March 1918 and the Hundred Days Offensive, August 1918
Independent internationalism p1-
Washington Conference- November 12, 1921 to February 6, 1922- less involvement in warfare w/other powers Controlling arms race-1921-22- reducing war by reducing navies USA hosted/ lead conference- 9 major powers (America, Britain, Japan, France, Italy, China, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands) US concerned about Japan- was a way to reduce this threat- first arms reduction agreement- conference passed 3 treaties- ended Anglo Japan alliance- instead offered consultation by US, Brit, Japan and France when Asian crisis, China, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands established open door principles, limited tonnage of American, British, Japanese, French and Italian navies
Independent internationalism p2
increased tensions with foreign powers/ altering involvement with other countries regarding trading In attempt to protect US money- 1922 Fordney McCumber Tariff- placed a tax on all foreign goods into the USA. The highest form of this tax the US government had ever used- impact on trade- made it more difficult for European nations to export to the United States and so earn dollars to service their war debts- also five years after the passage of the tariff, American trading partners had raised their own tariffs by a significant degree. France raised its tariffs on automobiles from 45% to 100%, Spain raised its tariffs on American goods by 40%
Independent Internationalism- more p2
Other point- getting involved economically- Dawes and Young plan Dawes-payments were to begin at 1 billion gold marks in the first year and rise to 2.5 billion marks by 1928. The plan provided for the reorganization of the Reichsbank and for an initial loan of 800 million marks to Germany. Young-proposed Aug 1929- Reduced the total amount by 20 per cent. Germany was to pay 2 billion Marks per year, two thirds of which could be postponed each year if necessary Changed public’s mindset/ caused isolationist treaties-
Independent internationalism- p3
- limiting role with other countries- lessening public support for future wars 1934- NYE comittee- the senate appointed an isolationist Republican politician Gerald NYE to investigate the armaments trade- Nye Commitees hearings provided plenty of evidence of questionable practices of the munitions trade and huge profits generated by American financers in WW1- Neutrality acts as a consequence- 1935- US couldn’t sell arms to any country at war- US citizens warned not to travel on belligerent ships , 1936- US couldn’t give loans or credit to any country at war, 1937 US citizens banned from travel on belligerent ships
context- leading up to ww2- p1
Britain had a policy of appeasement, which he supported, but it soon became clear it wasn’t effective. The USA had to move away from the limitations of neutrality. sent 500 bombers- but neglected Jews quite a lot-set up a quota system which greatly reduced immigrants allowed into the USA. 1938-Germany was not a military threat as long as Britain and France stood up to Hitler. Communism had not spread. The USA still had Hawaii and the Philippines. Japan =distracted by a war with China. isolationism dominated
WW2 entering p2
Oct- 1941- USS Kearney and USS Reuben Jones, two US ships were attacked by U-boats, resulting in deaths of Americans. Sunday, 7th December 1941. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour in the Pacific Ocean.- 2,345 US Servicemen were killed, - 57 civilians killed 8th December 1941 - President Roosevelt declared war on Japan.- 11th December 1941 – Germany declared war on the USA. WAR ON TWO FRONTS! USA changed from ISOLATIONISM to INTERVENTIONISM!!
WW2 p1
p1- US position- more involved-After the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan.
Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. a few days later.
The U.S. became fully engaged in the Second World War.
Approximately 16 million military personnel were involved by the war’s end.
The U.S. contributed to the war effort both on the home front and through its military actions.
Harder to back out
WW2 p2/3
p2- Value of U.S economy increased by 35% between 1941-45 advancced military position- dropped atomic bomb on 6th and 9th August 1945- Hiroshima and Nagasaki impact on foreign policy-seen as more powerful, p3-building alliances with other powers-creation of the United Nations in 1945. Meeting in San Francisco, delegates from 50 countries created a charter for this new international organization, founded to prevent the outbreak of another world war. Poland later signed on, bringing the founding number of countries to 51. With the UN Charter agreed upon, the United Nations formally came into existence on October 24, 1945.
FDR p1
involvement with allies/ staying out of war till US was ready- 1939 (Sept) Cash and Carry, a new Neutrality Act – arms restrictions lifted, belligerents could buy arms on a cash and carry basis. Pay cash and carry good themselves- Britain and France benefitted. If FDR helped Britain and France, made them able to fight and stand up against Germany. The USA would not have to intervene!
FDR p2 In case other point needed- Yalta conference 4-11 Feb 1945- decision on It had already been decided that Germany would be divided into occupied zones administered by U.S., British, French, and Soviet forces, that the German military industry would be abolished or confiscated and discussions on how to deal with defeated or liberated countries in eastern Europe- impacted post war framework
good neighbour policy- U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Suggested by the president’s commitment “to the policy of the good neighbor” (first inaugural address, March 4, 1933), the approach marked a departure from traditional American interventionism. Latin America US troops taken out of - Cuba in 1922, Santo Domingo 1924 Revolutions in Brazil, Cuba and Panama 1930-31 – USA did not get involved.- attempts to increase allyship
FDR p3
FDR convinced Americans to go to war - FDR made a speech on the 6th January 1941 warned about the possibility of war and the reasons it would be fought – the four freedoms of the USA: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.- Used aim of democracy- involvement/ role increased- focussed now on warfare WW2 made US look powerful - got involved and US won/ economic benefit -The post-war boom led to a 37% increase in real GDP between 1945 and 1960/ manhattan project- built atomic bomb w/ help of Einstein
lead up to cold war
After WW2- alliance between Britain, America and USSR began to break down- major clash of ideology capitalism vs communism Yalta Conference- Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met to discuss how to deal with a defeated Germany - Germany and Berlin split into 4 zones - all 3 formed UN - due to damage caused to soviet union, eastern Europe deemed ‘soviet sphere of influence’- Poland became part of soviet union if Stalin promised to leave Greece alone
