American Isolationism And Isolationist Policy

The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era The Gilded Age was a time in the United States history in which there was an increase in growth of industry. This industrial movement was sparked by commodities such as gold, steel, and oil. These industries controlled by robber barons like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and others built empires. While all of this was happening there were Presidents trying to keep the country running smoothly.

Since George Washington’s presidency, the United Stated has declared itself an “isolationist” nation, in which they avoided any sort of foreign affairs with other countries. But can America ever be an isolationist country with the many conflicts with its long time rivals in Europe? Before America had authority in the world, stronger nations such as Great Britain, France, and other European powers had already established and expanded their powers abroad. It was not until the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that the U.S. started to gain in strength. This was the period that in American history which they tremendously expanded their influence to other, smaller, parts in the Western Hemisphere. But America was already an imperialist power beforehand, just not internationally, as evident in the Manifest Destiny where America was “chosen” to expand westward. The Spanish-American war proved to be one of the early examples of American involvement in international affairs, which they partook in the liberation of the Caribbean, Philippines, and Guam. Also their involvement with China and the succeeded lands from Spain also sparked relations with the world in which regulations were enacted, such as the open door policy in China, which made it more accessible to trade and keep European powers in check. The U.S. involvements in WWI also enhanced its involvement in international affairs and would lead America to further develop.

Theodore Roosevelt wanted to begin construction of the Panama canal before the campaigning of 1904. The treaty and $100 million offered to Colombia for the land for the canal was rejected by the Colombian government. Roosevelt was a man with short temper and the mentality that he was always right so he decided to take action and began with the killing of Chinese man and a donkey. Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty fifteen days later and the Panama was purchased by the U.S. for $15 million. To many people it seemed as though Roosevelt was actively trying to take away canal from colombia but that was not true. Construction began in 1904 and was finished ten years later in 1914 with the total cost of $400 million to build. Latin American nations were having hard time paying debts so countries such as Britain and Germany decided to send a force to South America to force them to pay. Theodore Roosevelt did not like this so he created the Roosevelt Corollary to keep the Monroe Doctrine together. This said that no other country could “bully” Latin America except the U.S. and Latin America felt Uncle Sam was being

The Spanish-American War of 1898 could be seen as the pivotal point in foreign policy as it marks America’s first engagement with a foreign enemy in the dawning age of modern warfare however, one could also argue that the idea had always existed in American politics.

The biggest event in Roosevelt's foreign policy involved the Panama Canal. U.S. naval leaders and internationalists always wanted to build a passage

This had worked for many many years, but times had changed and the U.S grew both in power and economically. Ideas such as social Darwinism-survival of the fittest-, nationalism-loyalty and support of one’s country-, and imperialism-a stronger nation extending its power by inhabiting a weaker country-supported overseas expansion. The major turning point for the United States was the Spanish- American war, in which America intervened in the conflict between Cuba and Spain. Cuba was controlled by Spain, but Cuba wanted to gain independence.

Why did the USA move from the isolationism that characterized America during the first half of the twentieth century to the interventionist that dominated the second half of the century?

The Spanish-American War signified a turning point in American history. For the first time, the United States, which had once broken free from its colonial oppressor, became an imperialist power. The Treaty of Paris of 1898 allowed the United States to acquire Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from Spain, extending its landholdings into the Far East. Moreover, Americans questioned whether it was in the United States’ best interests to become an empire rivaling Great Britain. While some felt that the United States was morally obligated to intervene in foreign affairs, others believed it would bring about a sense of nationalism. However, another group of Americans claimed that imperialism violated the founding principles of the United States.

Howard Jones who is the author of, Crucible of Power, argues that the U.S. followed a foreign policy of independent internationalism to secure foreign markets through peaceful means and this can be seen in Latin America. Woodrow Wilson promised not to seek territorial acquisitions to the South, but would not renounce the spread of U.S. influence through economic means and this lead to the U.S. having influence in 75 percent of Latin American during the 1920s. To spread economic influence throughout Latin America the U.S. insisted it would be through peaceful policies, but continued the use of military interventionism in countries like the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua until the middle of the 1920 's. This is also an example which shows that the U.S. did not pursue an isolationist foreign policy and wanted to go out in the world and expand its markets.

American imperialism began in 1898 with the Spanish American war and teddy Roosevelt’s policy of police power over the western hemisphere. This war one Americas greatest victories. The Spanish American war was great turning for America. They gained Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico from Spain. Spain defeat showed America’s world power to other nations. This war prepared them to fight in Europe.

Around this time Roosevelt was also trying to make a deal with Columbia that had offered 10 million for a 10 mile wide Canal Zone in Panama, this treaty was rejected. Soon after panama revolted and the U.S secretly helped them with their revolution and 3 days later Panama Won their independence in 1903. The same treaty offered to Columbia was then offered to Panama and this time it was accepted, this began the construction of the Panama Canal. Only a year after Panama had gained their independence Theodore Roosevelt was running for election in 1904, and had gained a lot of popularity from his previous term. Roosevelt was up against democrat Alton Parker who he had believed was a hard candidate to beat, but the electoral votes would say otherwise. Roosevelt won the election both in popular votes and electoral votes, and he gladly took office again. While back in office Roosevelt stated that the United States had to enforce the Monroe doctrine because the United States had power in the western hemisphere and Europe had to stay out. He also stated how the U.S had the right to intervene with any Latin American country whenever they wanted. After making these statements President Roosevelt sent a Great white fleek (best U.S Battle Ships) on a tour around the world as an announcement of power, this was known as the “Big Stick Diplomacy”. After “Showing the Flag” across the

In the second year of being president, in 1902, he wanted to create a canal to assist shipment items through Panama ( back in the was a fragment of Columbia) which is called The Sonner Act. Yet there were complications because Columbia had some of controversy with their government, but as time had passed the act that lived on creating the Panama Canal. Also around this time there were Germans who were impeding with Venezuela, Teddy did his best to stop the commotion and declared the U.S. to be the only country to interact with South American affairs.

During his presidency from the years 1901 to 1909, Theodore Roosevelt managed to shift the role of the federal government. He made a large impact on world affairs, including the construction of the Panama Canal. Along with world affairs, Roosevelt impacted the way trusts were labeled in their states. The role that the federal government played changed drastically as Roosevelt made his way through his presidency due to the construction of the Panama Canal and the pros and cons of trusts. Prior to Roosevelt’s presidency, the Spanish-American War caused him to see the need for easy access to the Atlantic and Pacific by the navy, supporting the canal across Panama.

TR built the Panama Canal, first having a station in Panama and later creating the Canal for defensive access. Roosevelt also had affairs with the Japanese and the Russians, later winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and he helped disputes regarding Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. With his idea of “speak softly and carry a big stick” Roosevelt expanded the United States and their foreign relations. After Theodore Roosevelt, President Taft would adopt these ideas and he would implement the “Dollar Diplomacy,” which meant that America would infest in Latin America. Both of these presidents branched outside of the US and expanded, they started the connections to other

During the 1920’s, the economy of America was thriving. The First World War had created new jobs and industries; members of society, such as women, were becoming more profound in society and their roles were becoming redefined. The United States was emerging as the industrial giant of the world. To protect the American consumers from imported goods from Europe and encourage American products, the government of the United States imposed high tariffs. Essentially, the United States no longer desire to maintain ties with Europe. The tariffs imposed by the American government were instrumental in the efforts made by the United States to stay out of European affairs. The concept of “Manifest Destiny” drove the United States into connections