Foreign Policy of 1920s
Past Foreign Policies:
Monroe Doctrine - (1823)

James Monroe - Presidential statement

Warning to European nations not to colonize further on the American continents.

Suggested that the US would refrain from intervention in European affairs as well.
Manifest Destiny - (1844)

James K. Polk's campaign slogan

This was the "fate" of the US.

We were "destined" to expand our boundaries from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Open Door Policy (1899)

Secretary of State John Hay

Circular note - to nations with spheres of influence in China

There should be equal trading opportunities for all nations in China

Later extended - it would become the policy of the US to "preserve the territorial integrity
of China"
Roosevelt Corollary (1904)

Teddy Roosevelt - Presidential Extension to a former policy

"Perversion" of the Monroe Doctrine

Suggested that in cases of "chronic wrongdoing", the US may have to intervene in Latin
American countries to protect American's new interests in the area.
Dollar Diplomacy

President Taft's policy

Supported American commercial enterprises abroad with dollars rather than bullets

Particularly in Latin America and the Far East
1920s:
Ratification of the League Covenant, Article X:

Senate provision

Intended to encourage collective action in the event of aggression, particularly
objectionable

Opponents - saw this as a threat to their role to declare war

Wilson - saw this as essential to the League's effectiveness

Senate ultimately rejected the Treaty of Versailles (along with Article X) due to the
inability to compromise.

Action - seen as a return to isolation.
The Washington Conference (1921):

The Big Five nations (US, Britain, Japan, France, Italy) agreed to a 10 yr moratorium

Included: building of large warships; maintaining an established ratio of large warships,
respectively

This was idealistic and temporary in nature.

Required: US - majority of the scrapping of large vessels

Included: No enforcement provisions

Appealed to many US taxpayers though.
Geneva Conference (1927):

US called this meeting

Purpose: to try to extend the ratio of warships arranged at the Washington Conference to
smaller vessels

Attempt was a failure

Led to a quick naval expansion by the US
War Debts [Dawes and Young Plans]:

Dawes Plan - provided a US loan to Germany
o Purpose - to help Germany establish an orderly payment of reparations to
European Allies

Young Plan - reduced the amount of debt from Germany
o Reduction was substantially lower than the amount Germany was expected to pay

These initiatives (both by the US) were intended to:

Facilitate trade with Europe and protect the American economy.
Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact (1928):

Between France & the US

Outlawed war "as an instrument of national policy"

Signed by most nations throughout the world

But - no enforcement provisions included

Historians have compared it to "a letter to Santa Claus"
Relations with Asia [The Four and Nine Power Pacts]:

Committed major nations to respect each other's interests in the Pacific

Reaffirm the Open Door Policy in China
The Caribbean [The Clark Memorandum] - (Dec 17, 1928):

Semi-official statement of the Undersecretary of State

Repudiated the interventionist slant of the Roosevelt Corollary

Paved the way for the "Good Neighbor Policy"

Improved opportunities for favorable trade relations with Latin America