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 (1840’s-90’s)
– 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 1950’s)
– Fear of Communism within American borders
– Feeds fear of communism spreading elsewhere
Post World War II Foreign Policy:
The Cold War
• Domino Theory (1950’s-60’s)
– 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 70’s, but popularized in late 80’s
• Began to influence foreign policy in early 1990’s
– 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 90’s
• 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