America’s Place in the World and WWII AMERICA’S PLACE IN THE WORLD-How have different factors influenced the US decision to intervene in foreign affairs and how has this impacted the world and the US at home? “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them. “ -George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

Monroe Doctrine 1823

Henry Clay-The American System-1832 “But if we throw our ports wide open to the admission of foreign productions, free of all duty, what ports of any other foreign nation shall we find open to the free admission of our surplus produce?”

Abraham Lincoln to Sec. State Seward (former Gov. of NY)1861 “Governor Seward, there is one part of my work that I shall have to leave largely to you. I shall have to depend upon you for taking care of these matters of foreign affairs, of which I know so little, and with which I reckon you are familiar.”

20th century Spanish-American War Roosevelt Corollary World War I

FDR and Dr. Seuss and Foreign Policy

America’s place in the world after WWI Great Depression-domestic economic issues trumping foreign policies WWI-US achieved NONE of the goals that we entered WWI for (Treaty of Versailles not even ratified because conservatives did not want the US freedom being infringed upon by foreign powers) Business profiteering-World War I was young men dying and rich men profiting (Nye Committee)

America First Campaign-Charles Lindbergh-1937 “We have weakened ourselves for many months, and still worse, we have divided our own people by this dabbling in Europe's wars. While we should have been concentrating on American defense, we have been forced to argue over foreign quarrels. We must turn our eyes and our faith back to our own country before it is too late. And when we do this, a different vista opens before us. Practically every difficulty we would face in invading Europe becomes an asset to us in defending America.”

FDR’s “Quarantine Speech”-1937 The peace-loving nations must make a concerted effort in opposition to those violations of treaties and those ignorings of humane instincts which today are creating a state of international anarchy and instability from which there is no escape through mere isolation or neutrality. Those who cherish their freedom and recognize and respect the equal right of their neighbors to be free and live in peace, must work together for the triumph of law and moral principles in order that peace, justice and confidence may prevail in the world. There must be a return to a belief in the pledged word, in the value of a signed treaty. There must be recognition of the fact that national morality is as vital as private morality.

US Policy towards Europe/Japan Prohibition of sales of military supplies to ANY belligerent nation Sale of non-military goods on “cash and carry” basis American’s forbidden from travelling on foreign vessels America refused to take war refugees, (including Jews from Germany) Roosevelt has to find a way to negotiate these ideas and prepare for the war he knows they can’t avoid...Armed Neutrality