A Level History

SESSION 1

Unit 3: The American Century, 1890-1990 – Foreign Policy

Mr A. Doughton

Sessions

Session 1 – Unit 3: Foreign Policy 1: Change and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941 (A Doughton)

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Session 2 – Unit 3 Foreign Policy 2: The impact of US involvement in the Second World war and the Cold War 1941-75 (A Doughton)

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Session 3 – Unit 3 Civil Rights 1 (A Morel)

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Session 4 – Unit 3 Civil Rights 2 (A Morel)

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Live session with A Doughton and A Morel

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UNIT 3

THE AMERICAN CENTURY c.1890-1990

The struggle for Civil Rights, c.1890-1990

Making of a superpower, c.1890-1990

Topic 1 – Change and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941

Key issues and content

• American imperialism in the late nineteenth century.
• The Spanish American war and the Panama canal.
• The problem of neutrality and entry into the First World War.
• American contribution to victory 1917-1918.
• USA and the peace treaties.
• Isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s

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Possible questions on changes and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941

• To what extent was American foreign policy mainly influenced by imperialism in the period 1890-1929? (30)
• To what extent did American governments pursue a consistent approach to foreign policy in the period from 1898 to 1941? (30)
• How far do you agree that US foreign policy was mainly isolationist in the period from 1918 to 1941? (30)
• To what extent did the experience of the First World War influence US foreign policy during the period from 1917 to 1941? (30)

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Things to consider when answering an essay question:

• Remain fully focused on the key concept.
• Cover the time period in your response.
• Use detailed historical knowledge to support your argument.
• Analyse and evaluate the key concept. (How far do you agree – consider pros and cons) Think about extent. Avoid a for and against response like GCSE. Each paragraph should have evaluation and consider a range of perspectives.
• Reach a supported judgement on the exact question.

How far do you agree that US foreign policy was mainly isolationist in the period from 1918 to 1941? (30)

American foreign policy before 1890

• Before 1890, aimed to stay isolationist.
• Monroe Doctrine, 1823 – Avoid European affairs, unless they interfered with the Americas.
• Manifest Destiny – Westward expansion

What were the US’s main motives for imperialism?

• The duty of America to spread its civilisation (Social Darwinism)
• Economic motives – markets abroad.
• Preclusive imperialism - Prevent others doing so.

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Arguments for imperialism

Arguments against imperialism

Manifest Destiny

Duty of America to spread its civilisation (social Darwinism).

Oversee possessions would provide American manufacturers with cheap raw materials. (economic)

To compete with other countries that were expanding their empire.

Preclusive imperialism (take colonies to prevent other countries doing so).

USA did not treat its own minorities well so it is unlikely they were considering other minorities.

Could lead to further entanglements like war.

America was once a colony which fought for its freedom.

Examples of imperialism in the late nineteenth century

• Samoa – Preclusive imperialism – Civil War - established a protectorate over Eastern Samoa.
• In 1898, Annexed Hawaii – important location.
• Philippines – purchased from Spain
• Under the Organic Act of 1900, Puerto Rico was to be administered by the USA. Puerto Rico
• Venezuela – In 1895, Britain and Venezuela were in dispute over Venezuela’s border with the British Colony of Guiana. President Cleveland demanded that the British agree to send the dispute to arbitration. The British eventually backed down when the US threatened to send 54 vessels to the disputed area. Arbitration eventually decided in favour of Venezuela.

The Spanish American War, 1898

• Spanish colonies in Cuba and the Philippines became increasingly difficult to rule. Cuban independence fighters staged rebellions between 1868 and 1878.
• There was strong support for the rebellion from the American public, politicians and newspapers.
• In February 1898 an American battleship, USS Maine, blew up in Havana harbour, killing 260 American sailors. The American press whipped up public hysteria on the issue to such a pitch that, when Spain refused to give Cuba independence, President McKinley asked Congress to declare war in April 1898.
• Teller Amendment was agreed. Conditions on McKinley’s declaration of war.
• The war lasted for only 4 months. The USA was fortunate that Spain’s antiquated navy and incompetently led army were no match for the modern ships of the US navy and the small but enthusiastic US army that invaded Cuba.
• A peace treaty signed in Paris in December 1898 recognised Cuban independence and the American annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and the Pacific Island of Guam.
• The annexation of the Philippines was especially controversial. The Filipinos were not necessarily grateful, having exchanged Spanish rulers for Americans. A full-scale revolt against American rule began in February 1899 and lasted three years. It involved 70,000 American troops, far more than in the 1898 war, and the expenditure of $170 million. Like most guerrilla wars it involved brutality and savagery, claiming 4,200 American lives and thousands more Filipinos.

The Panama Canal

• USA long supported the building of a canal to connect Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
• An American company, the New Panama Canal Company encouraged by Roosevelt, took over the rights to build the new canal.
• However, Colombia demanded money from US. Roosevelt refused.
• In 1903 the people of Panama staged a revolt for independence from the rule of Colombia and were supported by the US.
• Panama achieved independence and accepted a US offer of $10 million for a strip of land to build the canal. Canal completed in 1914. Within a year over 1,000 ships were using it.

Recall quiz

1. What is the Monroe Doctrine?
2. What is imperialism?
3. What is preclusive imperialism?
4. Which important location was annexed in 1898?
5. Under the Organic Act of 1900, which island would be administered by the US?
6. US stepped in when Venezuela had a border dispute with which country?
7. How long did the Spanish-American War last?
8. Which territories were given to the US after the Spanish-American War?
9. How much money did Panama accept from US for the rights to the Panama Canal?

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The problem of neutrality and entry into the First World War.�

• At the onset of war in August 1914, the USA apparently adopted a policy of neutrality which was maintained until April 1917, when it entered the war as an associated power on the side of the Allies. During the 1916 presidential elections, Wilson campaigned to keep the USA out of war; and yet a few months after his electoral victory he had joined the conflict.

The problem of neutrality and entry into the First World War.�

• Why did the US decide to stay neutral in 1914?

Public opinion and President Wilson

• Why was neutrality difficult?

Pro-British feeling, anti-German feeling, trade, unrestricted submarine warfare, Feb-Aug 1915

• Why did US enter the war?

Resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, German activities within the US, Zimmerman telegram

American contribution to victory 1917-1918.�

• The Americans brought fresh heart to an Allied cause that was taking a battering from the collapse of Russia, the submarine campaign and the deadlock on the Western Front. America’s industrial and financial strength now sustained Germany’s enemies with ample supplies of munitions and finance.
• America’s powerful navy joined the Royal Navy. The German submarine campaign was defeated with the introduction of convoys and American shipyards replaced most of the shipping lost.
• The American army was rapidly built up after May 1917. By March 1918 there were 300,000 US troops in France and by November 1918 there were 2 million. In the last major German attacks on the Western Front in May and June 1918, American troops played important roles in resisting the German advance.
• The US army also played its part in the series of Allied offensives on the Western Front which broke German resistance in the autumn of 1918. The Meuse-Argonne offensive, planned and executed by Pershing, involved 1.2 million US soldiers. By the time Germany asked for an armistice in November 1918, the USA had suffered 109,000 fatal casualties – heavy losses for the comparatively short period of time the USA had been involved.

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USA and the peace treaties.�

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points – Wilson’s aim was to form a new world order after the war based on self-determination for the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian empire, disarmament, freedom of the seas, an end to secret diplomacy and the establishment of a League of Nations.
• France and Britain were not willing to accept these.
• Wilson had to compromise.
• Wilson did achieve some success in the peace treaty negotiations. The League of Nations was incorporated into the treaty. The Senate voted against the L of N

Recall quiz

1. When did the First World War begin?

2. Why did US decide to stay neutral?

3. Why was neutrality difficult?

4. Why did US join the First World War?

5. When did the US join the First World War?

6. What was the aim of the League of Nations?

Reasons for isolationism

• The experiences of the First World War.
• 117,000 American killed in the First World War
• Disillusionment with Wilson’s post-war peace making in France.
• The subsequent economic downturn.
• Growing fear of the spread of communism.

Isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s

Did everyone want the USA to become less interventionalist?

• Most of the country supported isolationism because of ww1 and the economic downturn.
• President Wilson had favoured ‘collective security’.
• Political figures Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge favoured an alliance with Britain.

President Harding (1921-23) spoke for the people when he talked of ‘normalcy’. Movement from foreign affairs to a focus on domestic affairs like the economy.

Isolationist

• Harding and Coolidge – America’s role was economic, not political
• Warren – America needs ‘normalcy’, ‘not internationality but nationality’.
• 1920 – US Senate refused to join the League of Nations.
• Fordney –McCumber Tariff - US passes high tariffs that reduce international trade.
• The immigration quote act of 1921. (3% of existing number)
• 1924 Johnson Reed Act . (2% from any country)

Relations with Europe in the 1920s

• Some historians argue that the USA was too powerful and influential to be completely isolationist.
• The USA remained involved in European affairs.
• Hosted the Naval Disarmament Conference in Washington in 1921.
• By 1924 – USA was sending delegates to League of Nations conferences.
• Also had an agent in Geneva to convey US views to the League.
• Dawes plan of 1924.
• Young plan of 1929.

Relations with Asia in the 1920s

• USA maintains involvement with affairs in Far East.
• During 1920s, the USA feared spread of communism to China or Japan.
• Maintain Open Door Policy.
• 1921 Washington Naval Conference
• 1928 – Kellogg-Briand Pact.

Relations with Latin America in the 1920s

• Monroe Doctrine
• Could be argued that an isolationist foreign policy was never pursued here.
• US intervention whenever American business interests threatened by political instability.
• Examples of US intervention in the Americas:

US domination of Cuban trade continued during the 1920s

USA occupied Haiti between 1915 and 1934

Occupied Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1934

US forces sent to Nicaragua to support the Diaz government in 1926.

Isolationism in the 1930s

• Congress passed important legislation to prevent a repeat of 1917.
• In 1935 the first Neutrality Act required the president to declare an arms embargo against all sides in a war and empowered him to warn American citizens to travel on ships of the warring countries.
• The Second Neutrality Act in 1936 prohibited war loans and credits to any belligerent.
• The Third Neutrality Act 1937 confirmed the earlier provision and made travel on belligerent ships unlawful.
• Roosevelt did feel that America should play more of a role in foreign affairs but did not want to overrule Congress due to the support for the Neutrality Acts.

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The ‘Good Neighbor’ Policy

What were the key features of Roosevelt’s ‘Good Neighbor’ policy?

When Roosevelt became President in 1933, the majority of members of Congress were isolationists. Roosevelt did not intend becoming involved in European affairs. He wanted the USA to follow a policy of friendship towards other countries and thought the USA could act as a ‘moral force’ for good in the world, especially to his American neighbours.

The Quarantine speech October 1937

• Calling for an international "quarantine" against the "epidemic of world lawlessness" by aggressive nations as an alternative to the political climate of American neutrality and non-intervention that was prevalent at the time.
• The speech intensified America's isolationist mood, causing protest by non-interventionists and foes to intervene. No countries were directly mentioned in the speech, although it was interpreted as referring to the Empire of Japan, Italy, and Nazi Germany.
• Roosevelt suggested the use of economic pressure, a forceful response, but less direct than outright aggression.

Recall quiz

1. Give 3 examples of US isolationism
2. Give 3 examples of US not isolating from foreign affairs

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Further task

Reach a judgement on the following question: To what extent was the US isolationist between 1918 and 1939?

• Make sure you support your reasons.
• Give a balanced response
• Focus on the wording of the question.

Next session - The impact of US involvement in the Second World war and the Cold War 1941-75

Key issues and content

• F D Roosevelt and the entry into the Second World War.
• The USA and the Second World War.
• The Cold War and relations with the USSR and China 1945-1972.
• The Vietnam war and its impact.