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American Foreign Policy
From 1900 to 1941, several events such as World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II fostered change socially and politically in the United States by leading to different foreign policies of involvement in International Affairs and Isolationism. -
Foraker Act
The Foraker Act came under the McKinley Administration. This established a civilized government by America in Puerto Rico. Showed that America was trending into a world power by expanding its empire and practicing Imperialism. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was how America was able to back up the Monroe Doctrine which stated that Europe stay out of North and South America. The Roosevelt Corollary stated that America would be more involved in Latin America which would lead to the construction of the Panama Canal. Once again, this would push America further into becoming a world power as they were able to show their military strength. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Dollar Diplomacy is when America would invest in countries (most often poorer Latin America countries) in an attempt to get other countries to be friendly and close with America. This was an attempt for America to get more involved in moral affairs. -
Germany Ends Sussex Pledge
The Sussex Pledge is when Germany announced that they would only sink ships after they gave warning. This would briefly keep America out of war. However, Germany would revoke the Sussex Pledge in an attempt to starve the British and French by cutting off their supply lines. The renouncing of the Sussex Pledge was one of the main factors of America joining WWI. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was when a telegram that was sent of Mexico by Germany. Germany promised Mexico several of their lost provinces that America had taken if they invaded America and helped the Germans win the war. Great Britain intercepted the telegram and this led to America declaring war on Germany and furthering their involvement in global policies. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
Wilson's Fourteen Points was an attempt in enforcing Moral Diplomacy around the globe. Its focus was to not punish Germany but to rebuild the world and prevent any further conflicts in the future. Wilson's Fourteen Points were largely ignored in the Treaty of Versailles which would lead to a period of Isolation in America. -
Sedition Act of 1918
The Sedition Act limited the First Amendment by punishing people for speaking out against the government. The Sedition Act would allow for the government to enforce their policy of isolation throughout the 20s and 30s. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the post war plan that was largely decided by the Big Four (Great Britain, France, United States, and Italy). It pinned the blame of the war on Germany and handed out harsh punishments to them. This was a rejection of moral diplomacy, the Fourteen Points, and American Progressive ideals. This would lead to a period of Isolation by America. -
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
The Hawley-Smoot Tariff placed a high tariff on imported goods to the United States. This would increase the Great Depression and decrease world trade to a minimum. The result of this was more Isolation and Appeasement towards Hitler. -
Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924 greatly reduced the amount of people able to immigrant to the United States by completely banning Asian People from immigrating and reducing the amount of immigrants allowed to 2% of the 1890 Census. This would strengthen America's Isolation policies. -
Kellog Briand Act
The Kellog Briand Act was signed along with several other treaties at the Disbarment Conference. The Kellog Briand Act forbade war and 62 countries signed the treaty. This was a policy of moral diplomacy. However, the Kellog Briand Act did not end America's period of Isolation. -
Stock Market Crash of 1929
After a decade of buying stocks on margin, over speculation on stocks led to a massive drop in the stock market value. This would start a worldwide economic depression. The re precautions of the depression was increased Isolationism which would lead to an Appeasement policy towards Hitler. -
Munich Conference
At the Munich Conference, it was decided that Hitler would be given the Sudetenland as long as he promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia. This was a practice of appeasement. The result of this was an increase of power and boldness for Hitler and an embarrassment for Britain and France. -
Lend-Lease Act
Made America the Arsenal of Democracy. Ended American Isolationism and neutrality (clearly sided the allies). Sent billions of dollars worth of arms and war material to Britain. Further pushed America towards war. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Japanese sent an air attack on the Naval Base of Hawaii even though America was technically neutral. This was the deciding factor in pushing America into the war. America declared war on Japan and America was officially in World War II.
