American Foreign Policy

How September 11, 2001 Affected

U.S. Foreign Policy

Early U.S. Foreign Policy

Monroe Doctrine (1823)
American continents were no longer open to
European colonization
Any effort to extend European political influence into
the New World would be considered by the United
States "as dangerous to our peace and safety.
The United States would not interfere in European
wars or internal affairs, and expected Europe to stay
out of American affairs.

Rise of American Imperialism and

Colonialism
Manifest Destiny (1840s-90s)
It was the providential mission of the U.S. to extend
itself over the frontier, claiming it as a god-given,
national right
While the Monroe Doctrine essentially ended
European expansion in the Western Hemisphere (but
not American expansion)
Used to justify westward expansion of U.S.,
annexation of Texas, U.S. involvement in the
Philippines, and Spanish-American War
U.S. rises as a world power following the SpanishAmerican War

World War I
Prior to WWI, the U.S. experienced a
period of isolationism
Many Americans, both in the public at large
and in Washington, did not want to get
involved in World War I
Woodrow Wilson leads U.S. to war

Post WWI - League of Nations

While the League of Nations was an
enormous failure, it was the precursor to
United Nations

Rebirth of Isolationism
Following the end of World War I, the U.S.
drops back into a period of isolationism
Domestic problems dominate, and foreign
policy is very limited until World War II
The Great Depression was the focus of the
nation and its leaders
Public opinion was focused on problems at home,
rather than the rise of dangerous dictatorships in
Europe

Post World War II Foreign Policy:

The Cold War
Containment (1947)
Formally part of foreign policy in 1947 through NSC68
Containment was a strategy to limit and prevent the
expansion of the Soviet Union and communism
Kennan called for ``a policy of firm containment,
designed to confront the Russians with unalterable
counter-force at every point where they show signs of
encroaching upon the interests of a peaceful and
stable world."

Post World War II Foreign Policy:

The Cold War
Marshall Plan (1947)
Economic recovery plan for Europe, following the end
of World War II
Two main objectives:
Rebuild Europe physically and economically
Strengthen Western Europe to protect against the Soviet
Union

McCarthyism and the Red Scare (Early 1950s)

Fear of Communism within American borders
Feeds fear of communism spreading elsewhere

Post World War II Foreign Policy:

The Cold War
Domino Theory (1950s-60s)
Notion that if one country falls to communism,
it will spread to all surrounding nations
Led to U.S. involvement in Korea and Vietnam
Failure of the U.S. in Vietnam
Domino Theory fails
Containment loses some of its acceptance in
Washington

Cold War Heats Up, Burns Out

Cold War dominates U.S. foreign policy
from the end of WWII until the fall of the
Soviet Union
Escalation of military size, weapons arsenals

Fall of Soviet Union, Berlin Wall comes

down
Marks the end of nearly 50 years of preparing
for war with one enemy
No one left to fight

Post Cold War Foreign Policy

Democratic Peace Theory
Originated in 70s, but popularized in late 80s
Began to influence foreign policy in early 1990s

No two democratic nations have ever fought a

war
This theory is at the center of U.S. push for
democratization

Spreading democracy will promote peace

Spreading democracy will lead to higher
levels of trade between nations

Foreign Policy in 90s

Democratic Peace
Powell Doctrine
For any engagement:
We must have exhausted all other options
(diplomacy before force)
There must be a national security risk by the target
Have a Clear Objective
Use Overwhelming Force
There must be strong public support for action
Have a Clearly-defined Exit Strategy

Post September 11th

9/11 signifies a drastic shift in foreign
policy
War on Terrorism
Enemy unclear

Bush Doctrine
First-strike, pre-emptive war is legitimate
means for preventing future threats to national
security

War In Iraq
Bush Doctrine markedly different than
Powell Doctrine
Bush vs. Bush debate
Bush Doctrine is dramatically different than
previous Bush administration foreign policy

Did war in Iraq meet the requirements of the

Powell Doctrine?

Other Effects of September 11th

Rebirth of patriotism
Incredibly high levels of presidential approval

American cynicism no evidence to support

claims that cynicism has declined
Civil Liberties American civil liberties have
been seriously threatened by new legislation
aimed at curtailing terrorism (PATRIOT Act)
Suspected terrorists have been denied traditional civil
liberties and due process of law
Military tribunals, unlimited detainment, deportation