introduction
During the time period from 1931-1960, was a big test to our foreign policy. America was eventually involved in World War II, which lead to the U.S. involvement in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The United States was already active isolationist when they entered this era, but when the U.S. was hit hard by the Great Depression, it influenced us to go even more towards Isolationism. Although, there were major events happening outside the the U.S. such as, Germany's expansion in Europe, Italy's expansion in North Africa, and Japan's expansion in China, the U.S. tried their best to not respond to it as they were trying to rebuild the Nation. Although, the United States improved their relations with Latin America by creating the "Good Neighbor Policy," which the U.S. limited the presence of their Military in Latin America. These actions were taken to ensure an "ally" with Latin America because of the rise of Germany's expansion, and Hitler's goal to rule the whole world. While the U.S. was still a neutral country, it favored Great Britain, and other Allied Powers, so this lead to the U.S. government completing actions against the Axis Powers without America actually being in the War. America's "Neutrality"/loyalty towards the Allies ultimately caused the Axis Powers to retaliate. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese caused the U.S. to declare war on Japan, and its allies, and the United States joined the Allied Powers, turning the foreign policy from isolationism/Neurtality to putting all forces towards the war effort. America's Foreign Policy during the Cold War was Containment to stop the spread of Communism. Containment in the aspect of foreign policy is defined as to match aggression wherever it occured, while not using nuclear weapons. The main foreign policy overall during the Cold War was to stop Soviet influence on Nations. By doing this, the United States was involved in proxy wars such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Six day War, and the Yom Kippur War. The idea of Containment, and Isolationism are still incorporated into the U.S. Foreign policy today, but improved for more protection from war.
Video
"Foreign Policy of the Cold war"
Watch until 3:00
In the video, it explains the beginning of the cold war, and the foreign policies/views of each President Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. The video includes primary sources from the Cold War time period like a recording of a speech made by George Marshall, President Eisenhower's campaign commercial, and video clips of President Truman at the beginning of the cold war. These video clips were recorded anywhere from 1946-1960. This video demonstrates that President Truman and President Eisenhower had different views/ideas on foreign policy, and how foreign countries should be dealt with. Even though, their foreign policies were different, each one brought more advancement to ending the Cold War.
Primary Source
Lend-Lease Act; 1941
A BILL
Further to promote the defense of the United States, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate add House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as "An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States".
This excerpt/picture is from the offical bill that legalized the Lend-Lease Act. The Lend-Lease Act was passed on March 11th, 1941 by Congress. The Act was created by president Franklin D. Roosevelt to help Great Britain obtain supplies before the United States entered the war. The Lend-Lease Act would allow the U.S. to send war supplies to Allied Nations and transport goods to Europe on armed U.S. ships. This document is significant because the U.S. was promoting their foreign polciy as a neutral/isolationism nation, and then this act was passed, which posed them as encouraging the Allied Powers and stepping out of isolationism. This ultimately chose the side America was on. This changed the era because America left their foreign policy of isolationsm, and started to take action in foreign affairs.
Pictures
Uncle Sam Isolationist Political Cartoon; 1940
This picture is of Uncle Sam sitting in America watching things in Europe with a huge wall surrounding the entire United States. The political cartoon was drawn in 1940 at the beginning of World War II. This demonstrates America's foreign policy of Isolationism, but also moblizing troops in the case that America entered WWII. This cartoon is significant because it showed that the U.S. was sticking to their foreign policy but still was worried that they would have to step in at some point, at which they did end up entering the war.
Joseph stalin Communism political cartoon;1947
In this political cartoon, it shows Joseph Stalin making his claim on parts of Eastern Europe by putting the Communism flag on each nation. This cartoon was drawn in 1947 in the outbreak of the Cold War. This demonstrates the spread of Communism and the Soviet Union's influence on parts of the world. This cartoon relates to America's foreign policy because President Truman based on policy on the containing the spread of communism, and this influences our foreign policy to this day.