American Foreign policy 1897-1939 essays

American Foreign policy 1897-1939 essays What Were the Prime Motivations in the Conduct of US Foreign Policy From 1898-1941? Primarily the United States entered the world political spectrum following its comprehensive victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War (1895-1898) and it was to prove the forbearer of American foreign policy for the foreseeable future. An aggressive imperialistic dictum immediately followed the victory as America sought control of Latin America and the Caribbean. This successful annexation of her own backyard was followed by a more subdued economic imperialism using a Dollar diplomacy instead of a big stick ethos, extending her influence across the Pacific and towards Asia. America turned inwards upon herself with a trend of isolationism whilst she continued to build the infrastructure, which would eventually propel her to major world power classification. America continued a predominate isolationist policy, with exception towards beneficial economic ventures, until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, where once again matters were forced upon her. A new form of imperialism can be accredited to America during the earlier years of the century. A capitalistically driven imperialism focussed primarily on Latin America, taking the positive parts from old-style European imperialism and rejecting the elements that could prove troublesome or expensive, yet proving isolationist in nature towards Europe. The victory over Spain expelled European influence from the Americas and saw America herself take over the mantel of the white mans burden in its own backyard. The huge benefit afforded to America was its newness, the very fact that America was fabricated and not slowly developed over centuries like the established European countries, that it was a teenager when compared to Europes old man, enabled America to see where Europe had erred. America then vigorously promoted, by force w...