United States Foreign Policy in the Early 20th Century
Many 20th century American foreign policy issues have their origins in America’s
emergence as a world power at the end of the 19th century.
The growing role of the United States in international trade displayed the American urge
to build, innovate, and explore new markets. Growth in international trade occurred from
the late 1800’s to World War I. This is the first era of a true “global economy.” There
was a movement toward global economy, which is a growth in international trade.
Imperialism is the expansion of an empire by gaining influence over a country or region
politically or economically.
The Creation of International Markets:
Foreigners were urged to observe fair competition in China by the U.S. The Open Door
Policy is when Secretary of State John Hay proposed a policy that would give all nations
equal trading rights in China. Now, all nations, including the United States could have
markets in China.
Theodore Roosevelt encouraged Panama’s independence from Colombia.
President Taft urged American banks and
businesses to invest in Latin America; the
U.S. would step in if unrest threatened
their investments. This was called Dollar
Diplomacy.
U.S. Involvement Latin America:
After the Spanish American War, Puerto
Rico was annexed (taken over) by the
United States.
The U.S. asserted the right to intervene in
Cuban affairs.
The U.S. and Panama negotiated a treaty to build the Panama Canal. This would lead to
faster shipping from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
U.S. Involvement in Asia and the Pacific
The U.S. helped to dispose (remove) Hawaii’s monarchy and annexed Hawaii. The US
wanted it as a base of operations in the Pacific for the Navy and also to compete
economically with European counties. The U.S. wanted it, so the U.S. took it.
The U.S. annexed the Philippines and Guam after
the Spanish American War for economic and
defense purposes. On July 4, 1946, the
Philippines gained independence from the United
States. Guam is still U.S. territory.
US involvement in World War I
While American entry into World War I ensured allied victory, the failure to conclude a
lasting peace left a bitter legacy.
The war began in Europe in 1914 when Germany and Austria-Hungary went to war with
Britain, France, and Russia.
For three years, America remained neutral, and there was a strong sentiment not to get
involved in a European War.
The decision to enter the war was the result of continuing
German warfare (freedom of the seas) and American ties
to Great Britain. The sinking of the Lusitania by a
German U-Boat (Submarine) sparked American
involvement in the war. The discovery of the
Zimmerman note outraged Americans. The Zimmerman
note was a communication between Germany and Mexico. Germany promised land to
Mexico in return for its alliance against The US in a war. Americans wanted to “make
the world safe for democracy.”
America’s military resources of soldiers and war materials tipped the balance of the war
and led to Germany’s defeat.
Aftermath of the War
The Treaty of Versailles ended World War I. England, France and Italy insisted on the
punishment of Germany. England, France, and Italy wanted Germany to make financial
payments to compensate for war costs (reparations). President Wilson wanted peace
without retribution. National boundaries were redrawn, creating many new nations.
President Wilson outlined peace in a proposal called Fourteen Points.
It was intended to eliminate the causes of war. The key ideas
included:
1. Self Determination - nations have the right to freely decide on
their sovereignty (self-governing) and international political status
without external compulsion or outside interference.
2. Freedom of the Sea
3. The League of Nations: It was a body of international countries
that made decisions to avoid war. It was part of the Treaty of
Versailles.
4. The Mandate System: This is a system of administering the
colonies of defeated powers.
The United States Senate did not approve
the Treaty of Versailles. England and
France controlled mandates in the Middle
East.
The United States Senate failed to approve
United States membership in the League
because if the League voted to use force
against a nation, the United States would
also become involved.
Some members of Congress said that
Congressional approval was needed before
Americans were sent to war.
Trench Warfare (Above)
No Man’s Land (To the
Left)
Soldiers with Gas Masks (Left)
During World War One a variety of weapons were used.
Rifle
The main weapon used by British soldiers in the trenches was the bolt-action rifle. 15
rounds could be fired in a
minute and a person 1,400
meters away could be killed.
Machine Gun
Machine guns needed 4-6 men to work them and
had to be on a flat surface. They had the firepower of 100 guns.
Large field guns had a long range and could
deliver devastating blows to the enemy but needed
up to 12 men to work them. They fired shells which
exploded on impact.
Gas
The German armies were the first to use chlorine gas at the battle of Ypres in 1915.
Chlorine gas causes a burning sensation in the throat and chest pains. Death is painful you suffocate! The problem with chlorine gas is that the weather must
be right. If the wind is in the wrong direction it could end up killing your
own troops rather than the enemy.
Mustard gas was the most deadly weapon used. It was fired into the
trenches in shells. It is colorless and takes 12 hours to take effect.
Effects include: blistering skin, vomiting, sore eyes, internal and
external bleeding. Death can take up to 5 weeks.
Zeppelin
The Zeppelin, also known as blimp, was an airship
that was used during the early part of the war in
bombing raids by the Germans. They carried
machine guns and bombs. However, they were
abandoned because they were easy to shoot out
of the sky.
Tank
Tanks were used for the first time in the First World
War at the Battle of the Somme. They were
developed to cope with the conditions on the
Western Front. The first tank was called 'Little
Willie' and needed a crew of 3. Its maximum speed
was 3mph and it could not cross trenches.
The more modern tank was not developed until just
before the end of the war. It could carry 10 men,
had a revolving turret and could reach 4mph.
Planes
Planes were also used for the first time. At first
they were used to deliver bombs and for spying
work but became fighter aircraft armed with
machine guns, bombs and some times cannons.
Fights between two planes in the sky became
known as 'dogfights'
Torpedoes
Torpedoes were used by submarines. The
Germans used torpedoes to blow up ships carrying
supplies from America to Britain.
The Germans torpedoed the passenger liner
Lusitania on May 1st 1915 which sank with a loss of
1,195 lives. Americans were outraged and joined
the war in 1917 on the side of the allies.