Throughout U.S. History, the American government has consistently been a central actor in foreign conflicts and affairs. Over time, the United States has grown to be one of the largest and most powerful nations in the world, and although presidents have tried to lead the US down independent paths, the United States has always dealt with international relations. First, the United States has constantly promoted democracy and capitalism across the foreign world in hopes of their own benefit. Second, the United States has been involved in foreign affairs in hopes of U.S. economic prosperity and growth. Third, the United States has relied on its military, to stop other nations from working against the U.S. These ideas raise the question of what has been America’s main objective with foreign policy since 1776. Throughout history, the United States has set a grand strategy of being the leader of the foreign world and has utilized three main methods in pursuit of this objective.
The United States government has consistently engaged in foreign policy that has centered on promoting democracy and capitalism. This strategy has ultimately led the United States to become a leader in international affairs. In the 1830s, Andrew Jackson promoted democracy by growing the landmass of America with the idea of “Western Expansion.” As part of this plan, Jackson issued a “civilization policy” for Native Americans. This plan allowed Native Americans to remain east of the Mississippi so long as they became assimilated with American culture. He encouraged them to learn English, dress like Americans, adopt Christianity, and marry whites. Moreover, Jackson promoted his “civilization policy” by forcing five Native American nations to either assimilate or die. With the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears, Jackson forced thousands of Native Americans to fear for their lives and assimilate, leading more people in the world to practice democracy and capitalism. This policy would expand the footprint of American democracy and the potential influence of the US government in foreign affairs. Furthermore, in World War II, George Marshall would follow a similar strategy by devising a plan to encourage European countries to convert to capitalism and democracy. In a speech, he stated, “The truth of the matter is that Europe's requirements for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products—principally from America—are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character.” George Marshall allocated 12.5 billion dollars to help the impoverished and rebuild European economies. The hope was that by alleviating poverty and providing material assistance, countries would support democracy over communism. In countries such as Italy and France, the assistance America provided, helped them rebuild their economies. In so doing, these countries saw the positive effects of capitalism and democracy, eventually leading them to follow American ideals. Most recently, George W. Bush has continued with this strategy as he engaged the US in foreign affairs in order to advocate for democracy. Bush once stated, “And, therefore, we will help young democracies when we find them... It is in our interests that we combine security with a political process that frees people; liberates people; that gives people a chance to determine their own futures. I believe most people in the Middle East want just that.” George Bush believed democracy was the most effective form of government because each person was free to their own opinion. As part of the Bush Doctrine, George Bush was committed to converting every nation to democracy and that it was the US government's responsibility to “liberate” citizens from other forms of governing. Bush assumed that this “superior” form of government is what every nation would want. Ultimately, Bush’s Doctrine was ineffective as it caused unrest and conflict in foreign nations. In spite of these challenges, the United States has been effective at becoming a role model and world leader for other countries, by advocating for democracy and capitalism. The actions taken by the United States government show the power the U.S. holds. By “forcing” other to nations to adopt democracy and capitalism the United States has gained control in foreign nations. In the founding period, Andrew Jackson forced the Native Americans to follow democracy and capitalism while expanding the United States’s control of more land. After World War Two, the United States helped impoverished countries leading them away from communism, and allowing the U.S. to gain more allies and control in the Western Hemisphere. Finally, George W. Bush’s regime change, allowed the US to gain more control and dominance in the Middle East, leading them to greater access to oil. This influence across the world has allowed the United States to help make decisions in other nations that will benefit themselves. By promoting democracy and capitalism, the U.S. will become the global leader.
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The United States has also pursued a foreign affairs strategy that has fueled the growth of the national economy, ultimately supporting the country in becoming a world leader. In the founding period, Thomas Jefferson exhibited this idea with his purchase of the Louisiana territory. He said, 'There is on this globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans.' At the end of the Haitian revolution, France realized the challenges it faced in ruling overseas nations and that it needed money for the Great French War. Thomas Jefferson asked Napoleon if the U.S. could buy the port of New Orleans. Because the French had trouble ruling over this territory, Napoleon offered to sell all of the Louisiana territories to the United States. Jefferson wanted the Louisiana territory because he saw economic benefits in both the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans. This purchase doubled the size of America and would be essential in shipping products to America’s markets and trading with other nations. Thomas Jefferson’s strategy of working with foreign nations was focused on growing the US economy. Another example of the U.S. dealing with foreign affairs for economic reasons was in Cuba. By the end of the 1800s, Spain had lost all of its colonies to revolutions except Cuba and Puerto Rico. Many Cubans yearned for their independence, however, they needed help in rebelling against the Spanish government. With the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, the United States accused the Spanish of attacking the ship and citizens pushed for U.S. involvement in the war. In reality, President McKinley would use this “attack” as a cover, because he wanted Cuba separated from Spain in order to protect U.S. economic interests. The United States had millions of dollars invested in Cuban businesses, and the US would benefit economically from Cuban prosperity. President Mckinley argued that if the Cuban economy was ruined it could have a negative effect on the American economy. Overall, President McKinley decided to be involved in the Spanish-American war in order to protect and grow American economics. Most recently, the United States' presence in the Persian Gulf War is another example of US involvement in foreign affairs in order to strengthen the national economy. With the withdrawal of Great Britain from the Middle East after WWII, the US became the main “guardian” of western access to oil. In 1990, when Saddam Hussein invaded the US ally, Kuwait, the United States feared that this invasion would threaten America’s access to oil. Under President George H.W. Bush, the United States launched “Operation Desert Storm,” driving Hussein back into Iraq. These events illustrate that the United States was not only involved in foreign affairs to protect an ally but also to support its own economy and protect a nation that supplied it with its “huge oil reserves.” In summary, the United States’ approach to foreign policy has often been driven by its desire to protect and grow the US economy. Other countries rely on the United States for aid and support and to help grow their own economies. The United States is viewed as a role model for fueling economic growth which has helped the United States to become a powerful, dominant, global leader.
As the United States has been involved in foreign affairs, they have also relied on its military power to demonstrate its position as a world leader. In the Mexican-American War of 1848, the US strategically used the army to generate a conflict with Mexico. The United States hoped this would lead to the acquisition of Mexican territory and the growth and development of the US in North America and the world. After the annexation of Texas, under the leadership of President Zachary Taylor, James Polk ordered troops to stir up problems in Mexico in the hope of creating a conflict. When US soldiers were marching in disputed territory and were shot at, this began the Mexican American War. This war was highly successful for the United States as it required Mexico to turn over all of its Western lands to the U.S. In order to expand its borders, the United States unnecessarily used its military against a foreign country, ultimately starting a war. Another instance of the United States' involvement in foreign affairs for militaristic means, was the dropping of the atomic bomb. Even the decision to drop the atomic bomb during WWII was partially driven by America’s drive to be a global power, particularly in relation to the Soviet Union. Historian Michael Bess answers the question of whether the atomic bomb was necessary by saying, “The answer to this question is clear. No, it was not necessary. The allies were going to defeat Japan, with or without the bomb.” He goes on to say that the “atomic bomb's power also was a potential tool to intimidate the Soviet Union.” The atomic bomb demonstrated the strength of the United States because it showed the US now had the military capability to easily destroy an entire nation. The atomic bomb exhibited the supreme power of the U.S. armed forces and helped to solidify America’s role as a global leader after World War Two as America was clearly militarily dominant over the Soviet Union which lacked such a weapon. In more recent times, former President George W. Bush relied on the military instead of on a more diplomatic approach to show the power of the United States. He said, “To answer these attacks and rid the world of evil… we will not waver, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.” The War on Terror, Bush stressed, would begin with Al-Qaeda but would “not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated.” Immediately following the attacks of 9/11, George W. Bush deployed troops and declared war in the Middle East. This war continues to be fought to this day. Over 300,000 troops have been deployed to the Middle East, and under President Donald Trump the United States seems willing to continue its military presence. George W. Bush’s approach illustrates that the United States often approaches foreign affairs in a way that demonstrates the power of the US military rather than relying on diplomatic means to demonstrate its position as a world leader. By showing the dominance of its armed forces in foreign affairs, the United States is often trying to intimidate other countries and make them afraid of working against the interests of the United States. In so doing, the United States cultivates more allies and more support. This will increase the United States' hegemony and influence in countries across the world, allowing it to become a more dominant force. Military power is another way the United States has built its position as a global leader.
Throughout history, the United States has set the main objective of being the leader of the foreign world by setting three main goals. To begin with, the United States has advocated for the acceptance of American ideas in foreign nations in order to help the U.S. Additionally, the United States has worked with foreign nations in hopes of growing the U.S. economy. Lastly, the United States has used its military in foreign affairs, with the ultimate goal of demonstrating the power of the army. Through economic, militaristic, and political agendas, the United States has evolved into one of the greatest leaders of the world. This trend reveals that being involved with other nations can help a country grow into a successful, prosperous nation for all of its citizens.
Bibliography
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