The Tragedy of American Diplomacy by William Appleman Williams

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, America was working toward becoming an imperialistic nation. With such a change, government policies must evolve in order to adapt to its country's needs. However, there is a point in which new government policies can be detrimental to those involved. While America's government's changing role was certainly necessary in expanding the country, there were numerous instances in which the government became too imperialistically rapacious.

The end of the nineteenth century marked a significant change in the American foreign policy. Prior to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, America had paid little attention to foreign affairs. When compared to some of the more powerful European countries, such as France, Germany, and Great Britain, the United States had a

Besides, it was all very necessary after the depression of the 1890s; people sought to find a route for recovery and “…strong majority agreed that foreign policy could and should play an important – if not crucial – part… in forestalling future difficulties… explained the depression and social unrest as the result of not having enough markets for their specific product… an outlet for surplus stocks becomes an imperative necessity” (Williams 30). This engendered the Open Door Policy which “was in fact a brilliant strategic stroke which led to the gradual extension of American economic and political power throughout the world” (Williams 45-6). But not all historians agreed with Williams for Schlesinger attacks Williams concerning his ideas on the Open Door Policy. “[T]his zeal for foreign trade and for territorial expansion predated the general agricultural surplus....[A]fter the Civil War, the passion to promote trade and exports subsided, instead of intensifying as it should have done according to the Open Door thesis” (Schlesinger 132). He satirically criticizes Williams’ economic reasoning by saying, “vast new markets in the solar system” (Schlesinger 149) and furthermore, firmly states “the American empire was produced not by the economic system...but by the political

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.

A man named William Appleman Williams, who led the “Wisconsin School” of diplomatic historians, argued that the frontier thesis encouraged American expansion overseas. Williams had viewed Turner’s frontier thesis as a way to influence action against totalitarianism, advocate democracy through both of the world wars, and affirm the spending on foreign aid. However, Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis, in comparison to Theodore Roosevelt’s work, The Winning of the West, a greater emphasis was placed not on territorial subjugation, but on the evolution of American republicanism (Frontier Thesis).

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

During the twentieth century the United States of America became involved with three major conflicts that resulted in the nation shifting from a regional power into a global power. Through these conflicts the United States grew territorially, economically and industrially. Foreign policies were altered to allow the United States to gain ground on the world stage and to make their mark on the world. Through careful analysis of primary sources and scholarly document s it is clear to see that the United States involvement in the Spanish American war was the first step for the United States to grow on the world stage. The American victory in the war led to the acquisition of island territories and expanded economic and military capabilities in the both the western and eastern hemisphere as well as an increased involvement in Asia. World War I ended with American democratic ideals to be spread all across Europe. Led by President Woodrow Wilson, the United States led a one sided foreign policy that used intervention, peace treaties and military intervention to endorse international order. Despite a limited role in the war President Wilson was able to outline the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations and both of their presences can be found today.

In Lederer’s and Burdick’s book, the day-by-day business of American policy implementation and foreign aid to other countries is described. Central to The Ugly American is the historical reality of

American foreign policy has gradually changed since the birth of our nation. On July 4, 1891, John Quincy Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives during a powerful Independence Day speech designed to prevent an alliance with the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Although sympathetic to their cause, he warned against involving America in other states’ affairs, stating,” America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all”. This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of John Quincy Adams’ statement, examine the trends of foreign policy and national security from the late nineteenth century to the present, and address current policy issues regarding

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,

He begins more abstractly and then applies these principles to America. Specifically he says that power leads to a sense of superiority and is confused with virtue. Fulbright defines the “arrogance of power” as the “psychological need that nations seem to have in order to prove that they are bigger, better or stronger than other nations”. Clearly, these statements provide the premise of the book. As such, it explains Americas actions in all the situations exemplified in the book. After Fulbright analyzes patriotism in America, specifically when relating to the citizen, universities and the senate. For example, he describes the political climate at the time as opposed to descent and criticism. Despite this, he mentions the anti-war movement and describes both it being conducted and accepted as a sign of maturity and patriotism. That is to say, criticism is vital to democracy and consensus is a threat to freedom. Similarly, he describes how senate is in decline because of its unquestioning acceptance of the president’s request for war and as a result the decline in its Importance in the area of international relations and war. On account of this, Fulbright denounces the diminished importance of debate and dissent in the senate. In part two of the book, Fulbright analyzes revolutions and America’s perspective on them. According to Fulbright, America is an un-revolutionary society with

Throughout history, George Washington and James Monroe generated many different foreign policies that helped flourish America across the world. During George Washington’s presidency, the country had a hard time trying to gain economic power. The country was going through a tough time trying to gain money, because the idea of trading was just not working out. Under James Monroe’s presidency, he created the Monroe Doctrine, which allowed the United States to warn the Western Hemisphere that the U.S. would not allow for the countries in Europe to expand colonization. I will explain the presidents in between these two presidents, while also including them.

The works of William Appleman Williams and George F. Kennan have contributed to understanding of American diplomatic history during the period of 1900-1950. Kennan's book, American Diplomacy, offers a sharp critique with its focus on American "mistakes", specifically examining the absence of direction in American foreign policy and with the end result of American strength and insecurity at the start of the Cold War. Williams, in his book The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, pursues a different but still critical perspective by asserting that American policy was largely motivated by the "Open Door" policy, which led to the eventual alienation of countries to the United States and ultimately created the Cold War. By analyzing these two

World War I was a watershed minute for America, a period when an independent country included itself in world undertakings and started the ascent to the economic and military power that America is today. In the wake of keeping out of the conflict that had been desolating Europe for about three years, President Woodrow Wilson took America to war just months in the wake of winning a decision on the motto He Kept us Out of War. Claiming that American intercession was required to make the world ok for majority rules system, Wilson sent in excess of two million men to Europe, of whom in excess of 100,000 would never return. World War I denoted the end of the old request in Europe, and the start of what has been known as the American Century. In this essay I will present an overview about reasons of World War1, political, social and economical effects resulted of World War 1. I will also discuss the status of fighting courtiers before and after the World War 1.

In the study of International Relations there exists a number of different theories, each in which try to explain the role of America in foreign policy and world politics. This essay will work to explain the purpose of theories in foreign policy and the limits they have when they are applied to particular policies. President Barack Obama, for example, has come under sustained criticism regarding his foreign policy. Many have wondered whether Obama is a “realist” or “idealist” with his policy decisions. His foreign policy fails to strictly reflect either theoretical concept of international affairs. This is illustrated later in the current Syrian conflict and how Obama’s foreign policy is difficult to analyze from either perspective. International relations theories have been oversimplified, and the most effective foreign policy implemented in America today is not limited to one single perspective.