Attention on the Horn of Africa

George Washington’s legacy is felt throughout American politics and customs with his precedents set in mind to ensure the welfare of America. The four precedents which held the most impact were his precedents of having a two-term presidency, maintaining neutrality in foreign affairs, convening the cabinet to for advice, and using force to uphold law. These four precedents had great impact and were pivotal in securing America’s future and maintaining America’s stability. The issues of foreign affairs is one which determine what paths America would take in relations with other nations.

In the book, America’s Great War: World War I and the American Experience, Robert H. Zieger discusses the events between 1914 through 1920 forever defined the United States in the Twentieth Century. When conflict broke out in Europe in 1914, the President, Woodrow Wilson, along with the American people wished to remain neutral. In the beginning of the Twentieth Century United States politics was still based on the “isolationism” ideals of the previous century. The United States did not wish to be involved in European politics or world matters. The U.S. goal was to expand trade and commerce throughout the world and protect the borders of North America.

George Washington also proclaimed the neutrality of the United States in all international conflicts. In my opinion, that’s a very important contribution to the success of the United States in the years to come. Not only did it help keep the United States safe from conflicts with other nations, but it also let every nation know that we aren’t here to make conflicts with them either. I believe, without that judgment on

Interventionism, the belief that the United States should involve itself in foreign affairs, and isolationism, the belief that the United States should avert from any foreign affairs were two ideas that bopped heads during the first World War when it came to the United States’ position in foreign affairs. Interventionism was highly driven off of the thirst for profit and power. This hunger completely brainwashed people of all other thoughts, triggering them to steal innocent lives recklessly and mercilessly. However, isolationism protected American interests during the early 1900’s as it kept us out of war and affairs which ultimately resulted in American debt, lives, and peace being spared from the terrors of war as exhibited in George Washington’s Farewell Address, Ambassador James Bryce’s British Report on German Atrocities, and Robert La Follette’s A Progressive Opposes the Declaration of War.

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.

1. Washington’s Farewell Address- an essay George Washington wrote to stay neutral from foreign affairs. “We need to stay focused on well-being of U.S. since we are a new country.” For the next 150 years, the U.S. didn’t sign an alliance. Isolationism formed from this address. Twice however, the US got involved in the European struggle. 1) in 1798 in opposition to France & 2) in 1813 in opposition to Great Britain. He basically said he was totally for the Neutrality Act & he also said to avoid political parties. IT will only cause disagreements. He made this address because he didn’t want to serve his 3rd session and made the tradition of 2 per president.

In the book, America's Great War: World War I and the American Experience, Robert H. Zieger discusses the events between 1914 through 1920 forever defined the United States in the Twentieth Century. When conflict broke out in Europe in 1914, the President, Woodrow Wilson, along with the American people wished to remain neutral. In the beginning of the Twentieth Century United States politics was still based on the "isolationism" ideals of the previous century. The United States did not wish to be involved in European politics or world matters. The U.S. goal was to expand trade and commerce throughout the world and protect the borders of North America.

In George Washington's farewell speech he warned the American people to beware "the insidious wiles of foreign influence." Though it was never put into law, this statement has played a major role in the American foreign policy of isolationism. American isolationist sentiment stems from the fact that America is geographically isolated from the rest of the world. American isolationist sentiment was at its peak in the years following World War I. "In the war of 1914-1918 that had set the stage on which Hitler now strutted, no people had been more reluctant combatants, and few more disappointed with the result, than the Americans"(Kennedy, 385). After losing more than fifty thousand young troops in a war that was viewed to be unnecessary, the

At the turn of the century, and after gaining our independence, the United States land mass more than doubled through the use of purchasing, annexing, and war. However, the foreign policy of our government took a predominately isolationist stand. This was a national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries. General Washington shaped these values by upholding and encouraging the use of these principles by warning to avoid alliances in his farewell speech. The reasoning behind these actions was that the Republic was a new nation. We did not have the resources or the means to worry about other

Naturally, he wanted peace with the other countries. However, if the United States were to be threatened in any way then we’d prepare to fight back. In Washington’s 1796 farewell address, he spoke of the danger of foreign alliances. For the next century, the US based its foreign policies off this message and they adhered to neutrality as one of their major parts of foreign policy.

Throughout the history of the United States, there have been numerous presidents, who were isolationists. One of the most famous presidents, who firmly believed in isolationism, was Thomas Jefferson. In his inaugural address, Jefferson stated, “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” This statement clearly exemplifies that President Jefferson believed in isolationism, because he’s discussing how he wants the United States to remain neutral with other countries affairs. President Monroe was also a famous isolationist leader, because of his Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, was the foreign policy in which, the United

      At the turn of the century, and after gaining our independence, the United States land mass more than doubled through the use of purchasing, annexing, and war. However, the foreign policy of our government took a predominately isolationist stand. This was a national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries. General Washington shaped these values by upholding and encouraging the use of these principles by warning to avoid alliances in his farewell speech. The reasoning behind these actions was that the Republic was a new nation. We did not have the resources or the

September 19th, 1796 George Washington gave his farewell speech saying “It is true to our policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world.” America has stayed true to their isolated status throughout history to a degree until foreign conflict-affected American soil. Many of the first wars America fought in were (ex. American Revolution, War of 1812 and Mexican American war), these battles were fought mainly for land and independence.

In their book American Foreign Policy since World War 2, Steven W. Hook, and John Spanier take a historical look at American foreign policy. Since its independence, all through to the start of the 20th century, the United States had a policy of detachment. This was rooted in the believe that Europe, the only other meaningful powerful in the world in the 18th and 19th century, had intrinsic issues related to feudism that kept the continent in a constant state of war (Hook & Spanier, 2015). The U.S on its part was far away from Europe and had a unique chance to chart a different course, one free from the troubles of Europe. As a democracy free from the class systems of Europe and hence maintain peace and stability (Hook & Spanier, 2015). To maintain this peace and stability, it was in the United States interests to maintain detachment from Europe. In fact, Monroe wrote that Europe and its flawed system was evil and America should strive as much as possible to stay away from it (Hook & Spanier, 2015). However, in the 20th century, this policy of detachment was put to the test when the United States was drawn into the first and second world wars by external factors. This led the United States to get more engaged in global affairs. The idea behind engagement was to promote the ideals of democracy which, the U.S believed were the pillars of peace, as well as to protect itself from aggressors like Japan in the Second World War. After the

Hamadryas baboons currently inhabit Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea – comprising the location we call the Horn of Africa (Swedell 2006). Their habitation can also be