From Isolation to Global Power_ America's Foreign Policy Journey Since 1783

From Isolation to Global Power_ America's Foreign Policy Journey Since 1783...

Hosted by Butch Leake with Elizabeth Kilpatrick and Henry Sommers.

America's foreign policy has undergone significant evolution since gaining independence in 1783. In the early years, the US followed a policy of neutrality and isolationism, as seen in George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796. However, the US began to assert itself on the world stage with the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, which aimed to limit European influence in the Americas.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw America become more involved in global affairs, particularly following the Spanish-American War in 1898. President Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy and President Woodrow Wilson's idealistic approach with his Fourteen Points set the stage for US involvement in World War I.

After World War I, the US retreated into isolationism once again, only to be thrust back into global conflicts with World War II and the rise of the Cold War. The Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, and NATO alliance solidified America's commitment to containing communism.

The Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s marked a turning point in American foreign policy, leading to a period of reassessment and realignment during the Nixon administration. The end of the Cold War in the 1990s brought about a new era of American hegemony, with the US becoming the sole superpower.

Since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, America's foreign policy has been dominated by the War on Terror, with military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Obama administration sought to pivot towards Asia and engage in more diplomatic efforts, while the Trump administration focused on America First policies and questioned traditional alliances.

Overall, America's foreign policy evolution has been characterized by a mix of isolationism, interventionism, and alliance-building, shaped by key events such as wars, conflicts, and shifts in global power dynamics. The US continues to grapple with finding the right balance between protecting its interests and promoting global stability in the 21st century.