American foreign policy essay
The evolution of American foreign policy in the 1930s is connected with the nation’s deepening involvement in world affairs. Isolationism was a period in the history of the US foreign policy which could be characterized as a strategy to enhance political dominance, although it did not meant full isolation (Hogan, 2003).
There were some arguments made in favor of isolationism. This strategy promised keeping national autonomy and strength, avoiding any contacts with foreign partners, including political partnership and military support. The US ideological commitment to the evolution of foreign policy through isolationism helped the nation to avoid involvement in the Eurocentric global political affairs and wars. The US placed emphasis on the development of democracy and promotion of freedom as the key means to avoid wars. The well-known Neutrality Act of February 29, 1936 called for political flexibility. According to this act, the export of weapons was prohibited (United States Congress, 1936, Feb. 24). This legislation was used to decrease the possibility of the US involvement in the war (Hogan, 2003).
America’s isolationist stance eroded entering into the 1940s because of considerable changes in the world politics. Germany’s successes in Europe affected the decision to rethink the nation’s posture toward the war. The US opposed the hegemony of the Axis in European and African countries. By 1940, Americans considered that it was necessary to provide military support in defeating the Axis.
American foreign policy goals, including the promotion of national security and advancement of the economic interests of the nation, shaped the American approach to the war (Hogan, 2003). The US Congress passed the Lend-lease act in 1941 to promote the defense of the United States (United States Congress, 1941). Later, the isolationist policy was not used in American foreign policy. In 1945, Roosevelt administration favored the establishment of the United Nations (1945), which prevented the return of isolationism.
Do you like this essay?
Our writers can write a paper like this for you!
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...