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US Foreign Policy 1900-1941 Thesis
US foreign policy from 1901-1941 decreased the involvement of America in the affairs of neighboring countries and highlighted how the US evolved into a world power, holding roles in the creation and enforcement of critical global policies. Certain events during the aforementioned time period are indicative of isolationism; however, the US followed isolationist ideologies briefly and took an active role in foreign affairs throughout the majority of the established time frame. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the US would pay off Latin American debts in order to prevent European interference in the region. It contrasted later legislation during the time period of 1900-1941 where the US decreased their role in neighboring countries and their territories; however, it also exemplified the rising role of the US as a world power as they could not only provide funding for themselves but also assume the financial burdens of others. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
The Gentlemen's Agreement between Japan and the United States was created as a result of segregation policies in San Franciso schools against Japanese students. In return for stopping the discrimatory policies, Japan agreed to stop their immgration flow to the US. By agreeing to policy based on decreasing immigration, the US demonstrated isolationism through foreign policy. -
Jones Act
The Jones Act gave the Phillipines status as a territory and then independence when they could establish a stable government. The legislation highlights the decreased US involvement in its territories and neighboring countries from 1900-1941. -
US Declares War on Germany
The US declared war on Germany and entered WW1 as a result of the Zimmerman Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare. By declaring war on Germany, the US demonstrated their immense power as they believed themselves militarily capable of entering an armed conflict with major world powers such as Germany. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles officially concluded WW1. The US held a strong role in the crafting of the document as President Woodrow Wilson contributed a multitude of ideas to the treaty through his Fourteen Points Address. The ideas conveyed in his address demonstrated US idealism in foreign policy as well as the increasing signifigance of the US on the world stage. By serving as one of the major players in the creation of the document, the US showcased their rising influence and power. -
Emergency Quota Act
The Emergency Quota Act limited the number of European immigrants who could enter the US each year to 3% of the people from each nation who had lived in the US in 1910. The act harshly contrasted the flow of immigration which had enriched the US in prior decades and demonstrated isolationist tendencies due to a fear of foreign ideologies (i.e. the Red Scare and fear of communism). -
Four Power Treaty
The Four Power Treaty between the US, Japan, Britain, and France served to restablish "status quo" in the Pacific. The role of the US in this treaty impacting nations upon multiple continents demonstrate how US was emerging as a signifigant world power. -
Five Power Naval Limitation Treaty
The Five Powers Treaty, signed by the US, Britain, Japan, France, and Italy, created ratios regarding the number of naval ships each country could construct. The inclusion of the US in the signing of the legislation pinpoints the increasing influence of the US as a world power as its navy was strong enough to warrant inclusion in a doctrine restricting its expansion. -
Nine Power Treaty
The Nine Power Treaty reaffirmed the Open Door Policy in China. US involvement in this legislation serves to emphasize its role as a world power as it helped to negotiate trade policy regarding China, a highly desired trading destination. -
Immigration Act
The Immigration Act further built upon the principles of the Emergency Quota Act a few years before, limiting the number of European immigrants to 2% of the amount from each country residing in the US in 1910. The act further exemplified US isolationism and fear of foreign ideologies and culture as it restricted the immigration which contributed to the rich and unique American culture. -
Establishment of Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan served to help Germany repay its reparations to the Allies and the Allies to pay their debt to America. The plan established that the US would make loans to Germany which Germany would then use to pay their reparations to the Allies. The Allies would use the money received from German reparations to pay back their debts to America. The plan emphasizes the role of the US as a world power as it could afford to generate a means of helping multiple nations finance war expenses. -
Kellog-Briand Pact
The US secretary of state Frank B. Kellog signed this pact in partnership with the French foreign minister. The pact aspired to outlaw war with the exception of defensive wars. The US attempt to outlaw war was a major powerplay on the part of the US as America believed it held a signigant enough role to influence whether or not war was permitted on an international scale. -
Stimson Doctrine
The Stimson Doctrine declared that the United States would not recognize territories obtained by force. It was issued when Japan invaded Manchuria. The Stimson Doctrine demonstrates the signifigance of the US as a world power as they took a stance on an international issue not directly related to US affairs. -
Tydings-McDuffie Act
The Tydings-McDuffie Act granted independence to the Philippines. It demonstrates the decreased US involvement in its territories and neighboring countries as the US gave up its role there because they feared having to defend the Philippines from a Japanese attack. -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the United States to lease weaponry to the Allies during World War II. The act highlighted American military strength as they had the capability to provide other nations with arms while maintaining their own peacetime defenses.
