American Foreign Policy 1850 to 1916

 

During this period many changes occurred in American foreign policy. Why?

 

     Growing interdependence of the

           world thanks to technology

     Need for raw materials and

           markets

     Growth of US Naval strength

     Close of the US western frontier:

           Frontier Thesis (Frederick

           Jackson Turner)

     Social Darwinism

     Missionary Spirit: religious and

           democratic

 

Two Main Themes:

 

 

1. American expansion into the  

   Pacific and Asia

     Perry “Opens” Japan 1853

     Purchase of Alaska 1867

     Annexation of Hawaii 1898

     Open Door Policy in China 1899    

     Annexation of the Philippines

           1898

 

2. Increased Role in Latin America

     Roosevelt Corrollary:

           International Police Power

     Big Stick Policy

     Dollar Diplomacy (use economic

           power to influence nations)

     Interventions in Mexico

     Panama Canal

     Annexation of Puerto Rico

     Platt Amendment/ Interventions

           in Cuba

     Interventions in Nicaragua, Haiti,

           Dominican Republic