Essay about American Foreign Policy and Global Activism

In conjunction to this, the fact that Woodrow had declined the US ' invitation to join the League of Nations after World War 14, further influenced and developed a new American foreign policy during the Cold War. This was a result of a lack of proper dedication of direct support from the US in foreign affairs and therefore in order to seek out foreign aid against the threat of communism and the Soviet Union, they had to adapt their foreign policy to offer a great deal of benefits in order to gain support. The failure of the League of Nations in 19465 aided the US heavily in terms of this regard however, as it allowed them an easier platform to offer 'isolated ' foreign powers diplomatic support and form a new allegiance against the larger threat of the Soviet Union. In conclusion there were other factors long before the Cold War began to set the foundations for how American foreign policy was conducted after 1945. However, 1946 was almost certainly an initial turning point in which foreign policy had to be adapted due to the rising tensions of foreign powers and the 'isolation ' some countries shared after the League of Nations disbanded.

When the world famous liberal thinker Francis Fukuyama in his masterpiece declared that we were witnessing the end of the history, he was greeting the new political structure and also the new international environment, which is peaceful[1]. However, developments that occurred after the collapse of the Soviet Union showed us that the dissolution of the Soviets was unexpected. The international society was not ready for peace and Fukuyama’s optimistic assumptions were far from becoming real. Moreover, the international society currently started to realise that the tension and the potential of mass destructive war during the Cold War era had provided a

For the longest time America has been known to ally with foreign countries, or be involved with few disputes in other countries. Yes, we need to trade and keep peace. However, what is better peace or to not be involved at all? Now, is a circumstance where we are stuck in Iraq and Afghan over issues such as terroristic activities but why did they start? America does have its own gas storage, not only that but there are areas where oil can be dug up from and bought from within borders and it could be sold amongst the few of us, instead we bought it from the middle east and when they fought amongst each other we got involved to keep the trade going, when it was none of our business. Yes World Peace is a great concept, But it doesn’t work, there will always be problems and trying to fix them only seems to make it worst, American forces should serve to defend and only attack after we’ve been attacked not used to help end civil wars or so on, it’s not our business, and most definitely not our problem but due to us stepping in, it becomes one.

Prior to World War I, the United States generally chose to follow Washington’s farewell address and stay out of “foreign entanglements”. The United States foreign policy from 1918 to 1953 shifted from isolationism or independent internationalism to a more involved internationalism and containment of communism due to various international events, economic conditions, and US public opinion.

Throughout the course of history, the United States has remained consistent with its national interest by taking many different actions in foreign policy. There have been both immediate and long term results of these actions. Foreign policy is the United States policy that defines how we deal with other countries economically and politically. It is made by congress, the president, and the people. Some of the motivations for United States foreign policy are national security, economics, and idealism. The United States entry into World War I in 1917 and the escalation of the Vietnam War in 1964 and the both had great impact on the United States.

The Iran Contra affair is historically defined as the “Reagan administration scandal that involved the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its efforts to secure the release of hostages in Lebanon and the redirection of the proceeds of those sales to the Nicaraguan Contras.” As the Nicaraguan counterrevolutionaries, known as the Contras, began their efforts to retaliate against the Socialist Sandinista Regime, American government forces stepped in to support the Contra cause in a hope to support the world-wide elimination of Communism. To understand the entire history of the scandal, many individuals, groups, policies, and deals must be researched and put together to tell the complete history of the Iran Contra affair.

The United States has been a super power for decades, and since America has always involved themselves in other countries' problems. Instead of isolationism, the country has practiced getting involved. Since the Monroe Presidency, America has been named the World's police force. Dispelling anarchists, and stopping coos, the united states portrays itself as the world protector. Since Monroe, some Americans have felt that isolation is the way to go, and most feel that it is our right to offer assistance. Two recent incidents, Operation Desert Storm and The War in Bosnia have allowed the United States to show off it's strength, both on the military and political level. It has also given the chance for America to evaluate it's foreign policy,

Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the American people: “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is—in extending our commercial relations—to have with them as little political connection as possible.” By avoiding

Over the course of the history of the United States of America, there have been numerous threats from various international countries. And with these numerous threats come different responses from the United States. Such as the French and the British during the 1790s, the U.S. government created the Alien and Sedition Acts The U.S. also had conflict with the British over the territory of Oregon,which ended in the creation Oregon Treaty. Later during World War 1, the U.S. , under President Woodrow Wilson, declared neutrality at the beginning of the war but were very straightforward that is the Germans continued the engaging in unrestricted submarine warfare against American ships supplying goods to Allied nations would result in an American Declaration of War. Over time the U.S. has become more upfront and stern with their reactions to threats from international nations. And it expanded to post 1945, when there was an impeding spread of Communism in the United States. And the way the the U.S. responded was similar to the their past course of response.

The American foreign policy changed over time has reflected in its national interest. Foreign policy is a major issue for the people today is because after the terrorists attacked in Paris, they killed over a hundred people. Therefore, the United States wants to go start a war with terrorists in Isis. But Congress prevents the United States from going in war with Isis.They claim if they were start a war with Isis, it will promotes more terrorists in the country. Also, they said it would be better if the United States were to stay neutral and stay away from foreign affairs. Although, the country wasn’t entirely sure if it’s the right thing to ignore other countries’ problems while they are dealing with terrorists. It is the United States’ job and responsibility to intervene in countries and give them support against terrorists. There are times when the United States are stay in insolation, at first, but eventually they start invade in other countries. They only invade in other countries while they might threaten their economic resources, industrial trade or businesses and the people. For an example, in World War I, when the British was fighting against the Axis Powers in Europe, they asked the United States to come join them, but they denied their request multiple times. The United States doesn’t want to be in the conflict or involved with war problems Thus, they ignored them most during World War I. But, in regards to the Germans had attacked the Lusitania ship

The Iran-contra scandal of the 1980’s, first brought to light in November 1986, is a complicated mess of scandal, arms dealings, hostage deals, and illegal acts (“Iran-Contra Affair” Infoplease.com). The original purpose of the arms sales was to improve United States-Iran relations (Sanders SNU.edu). However, when American hostages were taken throughout the 1980’s, members of President Reagan’s staff negotiated implicit deals with Iranian groups, which resulted in the U.S. selling arms in return for the release of hostages (Wolf PBS.org). Later, the deal was modified so that the U.S. sold arms directly to Iran at a high markup, with no guarantee of hostages being released, and the markup funding the contras in Nicaragua (“The

To begin, Congress, by fair vote, decided in the 1980s that the United States should not assist the contras fighting the socialist Sandinista government of Nicaragua (Corn 2006). Yet, the Reagan White House concocted several imaginative ways to pull an end-run around democracy (Corn 2006). Reagan’s decisions such as selling weapons to Iran were made with the knowledge that he would not suffer a decline in presidential approval. Thus, Reagan took various steps that were violations of law that not only involved himself, but members of the CIA. By 1986, two big revelations happened that caused this scandal to abrupt publically. The first was the shoot-down of a cargo plane over Nicaragua and the admission by the sole survivor that the plane had been delivering arms to the Contras against congressional restrictions (Kornbluh 2011). The second, revelation was the news story of Lebanon that stated

After tensions with the Soviet Union group Reagan's inauguration became a symbol of a rightward shift in American politics due to the apprehension towards communism. Early in Reagans presidency, he openly endorsing right-wing Rebel groups in Nicaragua called Contras. The Contras would allow the U.S. Open Access to Nicaragua which will serve as a launching pad for the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba. However due to a news articles on the U.S intervention in Nicaragua, representative Edward Boland decided to propose an amendment that restricted the money flow to Nicaragua. After several revisions of the amendment, money was completely cut off to the Nicaraguan Contras and it was made impossible for the U.S. to legally intervene. The Boland Amendment was one of many steps made to separate the United States from world affairs until trouble began in the Middle East during the Lebanese Civil War. After the kidnapping of 52 hostages the U.S.'s relationship with Iran was severely severed. Most of the kidnappings were by Hezbollah Terrorist who hope to gain political Leverage after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated. These terrorists decided to strategically let go of several hostages they had in order to gain favor from Reagan. Unfortunately, Ronald Reagan refused to negotiate with them even after they offered up the American hostages they were holding. Ronald Reagan then launched Operation Staunch. This operation became an enforced arms embargo on Iran in 1983 that was encouraged worldwide. Reagan was hoping that this embargo would stop the conflict between Iraq and Iran and would also help decrease the amount of Hostage situations despite the numerous efforts to relieve countries from U.S.

US foreign policy in Europe was to dominate, exploit, and to eradicate Communism. This was to continue US hegemony and to keep the balance of power in their favor.

As we approach the next Presidential election the topic of American foreign policy is once again in the spotlight. In this paper, I will examine four major objectives of U.S. foreign policy that have persisted throughout the twentieth century and will discuss the effect of each on our nation’s recent history, with particular focus on key leaders who espoused each objective at various times. In addition, I will relate the effects of American foreign policy objectives, with special attention to their impact on the American middle class. Most importantly, this paper will discuss America’s involvement in WWI, WWII, and the Cold War to the anticipated fulfillment of these objectives—democracy,