Foreign Policy
Early History of American Foreign Policy
Thus Far…
Chittick created a framework with which we can analyze and better understand foreign policies. M/M: – Multilateral/Unilateral C/C: – Coercive/Non-Coercive A/A: – Active/Reactive
Today…
Today we will examine the early history of the United States – How did events and reigning theories of government shape our foreign policy? – How did the president influence the foreign policy followed? – What factors are important in determining foreign policy? Important Note: – Your first FPH brief is due by Monday.
Background on Europe
Europe was born in the Dark Ages – The ruins of the Roman Empire tended to show Europeans that they were not as good as the Romans before them – Power resided in the land • If the ruler was good, the land would prosper • If the ruler was bad, the land would decay • The converse also held The Age of Absolutism – Power resides in a single individual • King • Prince • Pope – The commoners do not have power Creation of the idea of state sovereignty – Sovereignty resided with the state (ruler of the state), not with anyone above the state Protection of the state was central – Raison d‟état – Machiavelli – Richelieu Power Politics – Balance of Power – Hegemony – Mercantilism The resulting diplomacy (Old Diplomacy) was MCA – Unilateral, Coercive, Reactive The Enlightenment – Eighteenth century movement in Europe (and America) – Put reason at the center of philosophy
• Resulted in placing the individual at the center of the world – Created liberal political philosophy • Resulted in placing the individual at the center of political power Lockean Liberalism became the new best political philosophy – Replaced Hobbes, who held that the state needed to increase its power to protect its citizens from each other and from external threats – Liberalism called for limited government to protect the people from tyrannical government The resulting diplomacy (New Diplomacy) was MCA (the opposite of the Old Diplomacy) – Multilateral, Non-Coercive, Active
The Colonial Period (in US)
Prosperity Values: – That‟s why they came here Community Values: – Build a new world order – Read the back of your dollar bill: • Novus Ordo Seclorum • “New Order of the Ages” Security Values: – French and Indian War – Spillover from Continental wars
First War of Independence
1776-1788 From what you know about US history, what would our foreign have been? – Why? What would influence it most?
Federalist Period
1789-1800 Idealism rules! Washington and Adams – conducted Foreign Policy as they believed US domestic policy should be conducted – This Idealism would rear its head again during the rule of Woodrow Wilson Foreign policy was mainly MCA – Unilateral – Non-Coercive – Active
Republican Period
1801-1815 Foreign policy was mainly MCA – Unilateral – Coercive – Active Why the difference? – What changed in our needs for Prosperity, Security, and Community? – Did any events affect it?
Growth and Expansion
1815-1849 Foreign policy remained MCA – Unilateral – Coercive – Active Why no change? – Different presidents – Events in Europe affect us – Mexican-American War – Promulgation of the Monroe Doctrine
Identity Crisis
1850-1865 Foreign policy became MCA – Multilateral – Non-Coercive – Active Some Events – California Gold Rush – The US Civil War – European Immigration – Growth of big cities
(1848–„55) (1860–„65)
Theory
Are the above reasons enough to explain the change? What should explain changes in foreign policy? Chittick: – Prosperity – Security – Community
Assignment
Read: Chapter 3 (Chittick) Monday‟s Topic: – From Isolation to Hegemony
Do not forget: – FPH Brief #1 is due Monday – It is an online event – Link is “Policy Index” http://oforsber.kvasaheim.com/courses/pls341/studentworkindex.php