1874-1974 America's Foreign Policy

Between the years of 1874-1974 America’s foreign policy was strongly motivated by ideological concerns. America’s view was having an imperialistic drive with Ferguson concluding that America had an empire but America did not see it clearly. America had imperialistic motivations behind Manifest Destiny, acquisitions of Philippines and Roosevelt ‘Big Stick’ policy. Before the Pearl Harbour attack in 1941 America had strong periods of isolationism implemented in their foreign policy. This according to Rossini was a political ideology that created during the 20th century. It still was a motivation for their foreign policy, meaning the ideology had a strong motivation for America’s decisions. After Pearl Harbour, there was seen a different stance
Also, the Big Stick policy encouraged imperialism in surrounding countries. According to Hodge, the Big Stick diplomacy had ‘five central foundations’, which included(). In summary it meant that America had interest in the surrounding countries such as Venezuela and Panama. Meaning America had a position of authority and no threat from European countries like Britain and Spain, who known for their empire’s at the time. The most notable example of Teddy Roosevelt Big Stick diplomacy was in 1902 when Roosevelt threated Britain and Germany to send 54 war ships. If they did not allow Venezuela to accept international arbitration.[30] Ferguson concludes that around this time Britain recognised United States ‘as one of those rival empires enough to be worthy of appeasement’.[31] This is seen with America agreeing the Platt agreement in 1903, which gave the US the right to intervene in Cuba’s domestic and foreign affairs. [29] It meant that America could be a great power and that delegation that Roosevelt had influence within the Latin countries. It shows that imperialism is shown with the beliefs behind the Big Stick diplomacy. America were acting in South America to maintain their influence over the Latin countries on their